Wyoming Historical Society Wants Your Wildfire Stories
The Wyoming Historical Society is putting out a call to all Wyomingites: share your wildfire stories.
After two years of devastating blazes—from the 2024 Elk Fire and House Draw Fire to this year’s ongoing Red Canyon, Sleeper Ranch, and Spring Creek Fires—the society says it’s time to capture not just the statistics, but the human side of the crisis.
“We believe it is crucial to collect these personal narratives and visual records now to ensure that the experiences of our citizens are preserved as a vital part of Wyoming’s rich and complex history,” said Executive Director Aley Philp in a press release.
The initiative isn’t just about numbers or acres burned. It’s about the firefighters pulling double shifts, the ranchers forced to move their herds, the families evacuating in the middle of the night, the veterinarians patching up injured animals, and the volunteers handing out bottled water in smoky parking lots.
The society is looking for personal stories, photos, and memories from anyone touched by the wildfires—whether you fought them, fled from them, or helped others through them. Submissions are open to:
- Firefighters and emergency crews
- Evacuated families and displaced residents
- Ranchers, farmers, and landowners
- Medical professionals and veterinarians
- Government officials and volunteers
- Anyone whose life has been shaped by these fires
To submit, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line formatted like this: WY FIRE (FIRE NAME) (YEAR). Photos should include captions. Mail-in submissions are also welcome at: PO Box 33, Riverton, WY 82501.
“The Wyoming Historical Society sends its unwavering support and heartfelt care to everyone affected by these devastating wildfires,” the statement concluded.
The latest news in your social feeds
Subscribe to our social media platforms to stay tuned