Natrona County Fire District responds to two vehicle fires

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - On Sunday, July 24, 2022, at approximately 5:24 p.m., the Natrona County Fire District was dispatched for the report of a wildland fire at mile marker 177 on Interstate 25 in Natrona County.

The reporting party stated that there was a grass fire that was spreading fast and starting to move to the north. Another reporting party called in and stated a vehicle was also on fire at mile marker 178 on I-25 and the fire was moving into the grass near it. Multiple NCFD fire units responded to the scenes.

Crews arrived at both scenes and worked quickly to attack both fires. Brush trucks began fire suppression efforts on the wildland aspect of the incident, and structure engines worked to put out the vehicle fire. Law enforcement assisted with traffic control at both incidents.

The wildland fire at MP 177 was contained to 31 acres in size, and the fire at MP 178 was contained to 9 acres. According to the fire district, both fires had the potential to become larger incidents. No reports of injuries to firefighters were noted.

Evacuations were initiated for the Cow Hollow subdivision off the Old Glenrock Highway. NCSO Deputies worked to alert the subdivision and placed them in the “Ready” phase of the evacuation process. Once the fires were knocked down and contained, the evacuations were lifted.

It was determined by fire units on the scene that the vehicle that caught fire at MP 178, did start the fire at MP 177. The driver of the vehicle stated that he was having mechanical issues while driving down the interstate when the engine caught fire. The driver stated he was then able to get the vehicle off the road at MP 178. At that time, the vehicle became fully involved and began to start the second wildland fire. The vehicle was destroyed, but the driver was not injured.

While crews were patrolling and mopping up hot spots on the interstate fires, another vehicle fire call was dispatched to units at 07:25 pm, in the area of Coal Creek Road and Opal Street.

Fire units responded to the scene from the I-25 incidents; as well as, additional units that were available for other calls to service. The first arriving fire units reported that the vehicle was fully involved and was beginning to spread to grasses nearby.

Firefighters were able to get a quick knockdown on the wildland aspect of the incident to prevent it from spreading any further and then began extinguishing the vehicle fire. It was determined by fire units that the vehicle fire started due to mechanical issues.

The driver stated that while he was driving home, the vehicle was not driving correctly and smoke began coming up from the hood. The vehicle then caught fire shortly after. The vehicle was destroyed, but this driver also made it out of the vehicle uninjured.

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