Red Canyon Fire Nears 100K Acres, New Evacuations Ordered in Hot Springs and Fremont Counties

The Red Canyon Fire is exploding across central Wyoming, and officials are now ordering more residents to pack up and get out as the blaze pushes past 90,000 acres and races toward the 100,000-acre mark.

On Sunday, the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office extended evacuation orders east from Jones Creek and Buffalo Creek roads all the way to the county line. Entire areas — including Kirby Creek, Lake Creek, Bridger Creek and Pack Saddle — are under “go now” evacuation orders. Roads like Buffalo Creek Road and Black Mountain Road are shut down, and officials are urging the public to steer clear.

“We are asking you to evacuate immediately,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post.

Fremont County is now on alert too. Emergency managers there have issued warnings for neighborhoods near the advancing fire, which as of Sunday evening had ballooned to 91,581 acres, up from 83,000 just that morning.

• Zones 3 & 4 are under “Set” evacuation status — meaning be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

• Zones 5 & 8 are in “Ready” status, urging residents to prepare to leave if the fire makes another run.

That preparation includes gassing up vehicles, gathering pets and important documents, and planning alternate routes out.

Meanwhile, the fire — touched off by lightning last Wednesday — is showing what fire officials are calling “extreme behavior.” It’s burning in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis, already crossing into Washakie and Fremont counties.

“This is really challenging,” said Tammy Boyd, spokesperson for Sierra Front Nevada Team 5, which is helping manage firefighting efforts. “It’s in difficult terrain, and there are high-value resources at risk.”

Those resources include oil fields, a high-voltage power line, and dozens of homes and ranches. More than 300 firefighters are on the ground, backed up by helicopters and air tankers, focusing heavily on protecting property. So far, one barn has been lost, but officials warn that number could rise as the fire keeps growing.

And growing it is: the fire expanded by 15,000 acres in just 12 hours on Saturday. By Sunday night, it had consumed nearly 92,000 acres, and crews say it won’t be long before it blows past six digits.

For locals, the fire’s impact is already gut-wrenching. Rancher Tom Anderson, whose land is dotted with firefighting equipment, said he’s lost about 500 acres of grass and brush so far.

“The prayers should go for the brave people fighting the fire and for my neighbors to the east who have lost so much more,” he wrote on Facebook.

Hot Springs County Emergency Management says crews are doing everything they can, but they need residents to take evacuation orders seriously and stay out of closed areas.

“Please keep clear of crews as they battle these fires,” the agency urged.

The Red Canyon Fire remains 0% contained — making it the largest and most dangerous wildfire Wyoming has faced so far this year.

With input from Oil City News, County 10, and Cowboy State Daily.