Wyoming Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Wyoming - May 14, 2026

Overview

Wyoming is currently experiencing an elevated fire risk due to persistent moderate-to-severe drought conditions, unusually warm temperatures, and a historic lack of winter snowpack. Fire officials are on high alert, noting that the lack of typical spring green-up has left cured vegetation and fine fuels highly receptive to ignition, drawing comparisons to the dry conditions that preceded the historic 1988 fire season. Regional preparedness measures are escalating as agencies prepare for what is expected to be a severe summer fire season.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, initial attack activity has been light to moderate, with firefighters monitoring recent ignitions and focusing on mitigation. Due to the dry climate and above-average temperatures, 13 counties across Wyoming have already implemented early-season fire restrictions.

Key Fires:

• Sandpiper Fire: Located in Converse and Natrona counties near Glenrock, this fire has burned 6,287 acres. It has been fueled primarily by dry grasses and timber.
• Porcupine Creek Fire: Located in Campbell County, this fire burned 2,490 acres and previously caused evacuations for the town of Wright. It was also driven by dry grasses and timber.
• Flag Mountain Fire: Started on May 8, 2026, this fire is currently active and being monitored closely by fire personnel.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management:

• Medicine Bow National Forest: Prescribed fire operations are planned for the Pole Mountain unit in Albany County. Crews are targeting up to 2,000 acres of masticated fuels and hand piles to reduce overgrown vegetation and protect local infrastructure.
• Bridger-Teton National Forest: Spring prescribed fire operations are being executed as weather conditions permit. Projects include the Monument Ridge, Star Valley Front, Teton to Snake, and Upper Gros Ventre units.
• Burn Bans: The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has implemented fire bans on department-managed lands across 13 counties. These restrictions prohibit open fires, campfires, and the use of charcoal grills or wood-burning stoves.

Air Quality: Forest users and the public may experience localized smoke during the prescribed burns in the Medicine Bow and Bridger-Teton National Forests. Smoke from these prescribed fires is closely monitored in collaboration with the Wyoming Air Quality Division.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Much of Wyoming is experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures, with highs reaching the upper 80s to low 90s in some areas. A warm air mass has settled over the region, contributing to abnormally dry conditions and "ghost forest" timber vulnerabilities.
Forecasted Weather: The National Weather Service has issued urgent Red Flag Warnings for parts of Wyoming through Thursday night. A combination of high temperatures, low relative humidity (dropping into the 10-20% range), and strong winds (with gusts reaching 45 to 50 mph) has created volatile conditions for fast-moving wildfires. Meteorologists warn that any existing or new fires could rapidly spread and become difficult to control under these conditions.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents and outdoor recreators are advised to strictly adhere to local fire bans and avoid burning debris, lighting campfires, or idling vehicles in dry grass to prevent accidental ignitions. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place and to clear dead brush and mitigate risks around private properties.
Resource Allocation: Land management agencies are actively conducting fuel mitigation projects, such as prescribed burns, to clear high-risk areas and protect local communities from severe wildfires before the peak of the summer season.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Wyoming State Forestry Division: wsfd.wyo.gov
InciWeb - Wildfire Information: inciweb.wildfire.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.