Crews wrap up Fish Fire

Local fire cooperators, including the Black Hills National Forest, Wyoming State Forestry Division, Crook County Fire (district) and the Weston County Fire Protection District, came together to
fight the Fish fire as it spread across Crook County and crept toward Weston County, according to Weston County’s fire warden, Daniel Tysdal. He noted that other agencies and resources poured in throughout the incident. 
“The Fish fire is a perfect example of interagency cooperation among fire cooperators,” Tysdal said. 
The fire was first reported on July 31. Located 7 miles south of Sundance, the fire burned nearly 6,800 acres by the time it was 98% contained on Aug. 9. 
The cause of the fire is listed as “human caused” and is still under investigation, according to the final update dated Aug. 9. At that time, 178 personnel were still on-site; on Aug. 5, a reported 497 personnel were on-site. 
“Just shortly after we finished putting away equipment from two fires here in Weston County (Ferguson Canyon and south of Newcastle along the railroad tracks near the LAK Ranch), we received a call requesting assistance late Monday (Aug. 1) as the Fish fire had made a significant push to the south throughout the day on Monday,” Tysdal said. 
The Ferguson Canyon fire had burned 1.5 acres by the time of containment, with Weston County, the Black Hills National Forest and Custer Highland resources responding to the timber fire, reports from the Weston County Fire Protection District say. The same reports state that the Fawcett fire, near the LAK Ranch and railroad tracks 8 miles south of Newcastle, was contained at one-fourth of an acre, with Weston County, the Bureau of Land Management and the Black Hills National Forest responding. 
By the time Weston County responded to the Fish fire, Tysdal said, fire managers were running short on resources and the assistance was requested at the south end, or head of the fire. 
“The Weston County Fire Protection District immediately responded with one Type 1 structure engine, three Type 6 wildland engines, two Type 4 wildland engines, a Type 2 water tender, a Type 3 dozer, overhead and two contract blades from Perino Blade Services, along with 17 personnel,” he said. “Upon arrival, we were briefed on the current fire situation; at that point, there was a good opportunity to work the south end of the fire where our crews, along with the Wyoming State Forestry Division resource, were able to get both direct and indirect lines in using the blades and engines.” 
He said the dozer was taken further north to protect structures throughout the event. Weston County resources worked throughout the night before being released the next morning. 
With a need for water tenders on the fire, Weston County continued to provide two tenders to the incident through Saturday, Aug. 6. 
In the end, the fire did not cross the line into Weston County. Tysdal said the fire was stopped about 3.5 miles from the county line. 
“The fire did impact multiple Weston County ranches, though, as several folks graze both private and federal lands in the area and were forced to relocate cattle as the fire progressed,” Tysdal said. 
Katrina Carr-Tysdal is one of those ranchers. On Aug. 2, the family checked on their cows that pasture on U.S.  Highway 585 and decided to trail the cows home because of the fire. The family, including their two children Levi and Morgan, worked throughout the night to get the cows to safety. 
“We went to bed close to 2 a.m. and were to the cows by daylight,” she said. “We needed to beat the heat and keep them safe from the fire.” 
Carr-Tysdal sent out thanks to many people for all their help and offered help throughout the situation. Tysdal reported that the community responded amazingly to the situation and donations were plentiful. 
The Newcastle High School FFA said in a Facebook post that the group was able to round up a total of $2,260 in donations from various donors to purchase water and energy drinks for the personnel fighting the fire. 
The Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center also acted as a collection place for donations, reporting that it helped to facilitate the filling of both a flatbed trailer and a Suburban with donations for the firefighters.