Crews under the management of Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 successfully contained the Neiber Fire at end of operations on Monday, July 20th, according to an update from the information team.
From its origin on July 14th, the blaze spread rapidly through rough and remote sagebrush country and grassland that posed special challenges for firefighters and management.
These obstacles were overcome through relationships built on successful interagency cooperation. Local Washakie county crews were joined by firefighters from Fremont, Park, Natrona, Albany, and Laramie counties in Wyoming and Boulder and Gilpin counties in Colorado. State and federal agencies also responded with resources from the Wyoming Division of Forestry, South Dakota Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and National Park Service.
The ramp-up of firefighting capacity was also dependent on local hospitality. Businesses in Washakie Country responded quickly to the need for heavy equipment and food. The Worland Community Center Complex provided ideal workspace and accommodations for the Incident Command Post.
With those supports, firefighters were able to focus on risk-informed decision-making and tactics. Crews contained the wildfire with no injuries and demonstrated a focus on safety throughout the incident.
Firefighting tactics also successfully protected improvements in the affected area. No oil and gas infrastructure was lost and damage to roads, power lines, and fencing was minimal. Crews were also able to meet incident objectives of limiting loss of grazing land and critical sage grouse habitat.
While flames have been extinguished, suppression repair and rehab of the burned area will continue in the near future.