Firefighters gain control over blazes

CODY (WNE) — The Sleeper Ranch Fire, which torched over 20,000 acres north of Meeteetse, is nearly contained.

In an update Tuesday night, the National Interagency Fire Center reported the fire is at 90% containment. Park County Fire Warden Jerry Parker said Wednesday morning that the command of the incident had been returned to the local BLM engine.

“There hasn’t been any smoke visible in the area in the last three days,” Parker noted.

The Rattlesnake Fire, meanwhile, has been fully contained and mopped up with no remaining hot spots, he said.

Both fires started last Thursday from lightning strikes, Parker said. This week’s winds have proved calmer, and lower temperatures in the forecast bode well for firefighting around the region.

“So far, so good this week,” said Parker. “Here’s hoping that continues.”

This story was published on August 20, 2025.