Discarded cigarette sparks 29-acre grass fire near LaGrange

TORRINGTON (WNE) — A discarded cigarette ignited a fast-moving grass fire March 19 along U.S. Highway 85 near LaGrange, burning about 29 acres and highlighting the dangers of careless behavior amid dry, unseasonably warm conditions.

The LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze with assistance from Laramie County Fire District No. 4, deploying about 20 firefighters to contain the fire before it could spread further into open pastureland.

Fire Chief Tracy Pragnell said an investigation determined the fire was caused by discarded cigarettes found near the roadside.

“We try to figure out what it was, and when we got up there, two cigarettes were laying right there up on the highway,” Pragnell said.

The fire burned approximately eight to nine acres of private land, with the remaining acreage on state land. Though relatively small in size, Pragnell said the fire’s direction posed a significant threat.

“It was long and skinny in profile, but where it was heading was not a good place,” he said. “It was going to get into a lot of unburned fuel.”

Pragnell emphasized that current conditions this season including dry vegetation, high winds and temperatures nearing 90 degrees in March have made the region especially vulnerable to fire starts.

“It’s extremely flammable out, and it doesn’t take much to get something going anymore,” Pragnell said. “A cigarette can take off and start it that quickly off the side of the road.”

He urged the public to take simple precautions, including properly disposing of cigarettes and paying attention to fire weather warnings.

“This time of year, it’s just not the time to be doing that type of stuff,” Pragnell said. “It spreads quickly, and you’ve got to get on it fast.”

This story was published on March 27, 2026.