On Saturday, July 6th, 2024, at approximately 7:30 pm, the Rawlins Fire Department responded to a call for a grassland fire off Rodeo Court. The fire spread quickly into an adjacent salvage yard, centering on the 700 and 800 blocks between East Cedar and East Spruce Streets. The fire’s footprint was successfully contained by 10 pm. By 12:30 am, the firefighting crews staggered, with firefighters remaining on the scene until 2:30 pm Sunday, July 7th, for hotspots to ensure the fire was fully under control. Due to the dense fuel load, small fires are still being monitored, which may produce limited visible smoke.
The Bureau of Land Management – High Desert Fire, Carbon County Fire Protection District, Town of Elk Mountain Fire, HF Sinclair Fire, Town of Sinclair Fire, and Town of Wamsutter Fire joined the Rawlins Fire Department in battling the blaze. At peak, there were 40 firefighters and 17 firefighting apparatus. The Rawlins Police Department, Carbon County Sheriff’s Department, Sinclair Police Department, and Wyoming Highway Patrol, totaling 14 officers, assisted with traffic control and command. Classic Air Medical, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County EMS, Rocky Mountain Power, and the City of Rawlins Utilities also provided additional assistance. There was one head scratch on a firefighter, who was treated on the scene. There were no injuries to civilians, and no official evacuations were ordered.
Rawlins Fire Department Chief Allen Robinson stated, “The Rawlins Fire Department is so grateful to the professional and civilian community for their assistance in this large fire. Each firefighter who responded, including the 26 from other agencies, was vital to keeping the fire from spreading to nearby businesses. Our partners in law enforcement, medical care, and utilities provided crucial support in keeping our firefighters and community safe. Civilians responded in their regular jobs and donated water, food, and equipment both during and afterward to ensure the firefighters had everything necessary to fight the fire. We cannot thank everyone enough.”
The cause of the fire has been determined to be fireworks, which are illegal in Carbon County. The investigation is still in progress. The fire spread to 4.5 acres centered on the salvage yard. The fire affected three storage outbuildings, 12 uninhabitable trailers, two boxcars, and acres of salvage yard. Two other properties near the original fire had limited grassland burning. A spot fire was contained on the south side of Cedar before any vehicles or structures were impacted.
Approximately one million gallons of water were used from five hydrants. This is comparable to an average winter day of Rawlins and Sinclair for home and business use or about 1/3 of daily summer for home, business and irrigation use. Sufficient water was available, and the treated water storage tanks levels were not impacted. One hydrant broke after the water flow was established. The water flow could not be turned off, or the hose disconnected, until the hydrant was shut off upstream by the city utilities division. This did not impede the firefighting. Power was also cut to a large area of Rawlins to assist with firefighter access and safety. Later, the specific fire area was isolated, and power was restored to the general community.
The Rawlins Fire Department also responded to two additional fires on Sunday, July 7th, a dumpster fire at Bitter Creek Apartments and a garage fire just off 12th and Spruce. The fires are not related.
For more information, please contact Mira Miller, City of Rawlins Community Relations/PIO at 307-328-4500 ext. 1022. Interested in receiving news from the City? Sign up for news via email or text at www.rawlinswy.gov/notifyme under “City of Rawlins News.”
** Photo courtesy of Classic Air Medical.
