Mandatory evacuation for Palmer Canyon; REA service shut off for that area.

According to Platte County Public Information Officer Pat Kondas, the Britania fire 15 miles west of Wheatland has now burned 18.8 thousand acres, as shifting winds and rugged terrain have hampered firefighter’s efforts. As of Monday night, the fire was still zero percent contained.

There are approximately 150-200, mostly local, firefighters fighting this fire. Western and southern Wyoming Type III Management Team 1 will be taking over the fire Tuesday morning, with Willy Watsabaugh as Incident Commander. More crews and engines and overhead will be arriving Tuesday from other states, including California and Florida.

One residence is presumed lost, along with numerous other structures. As some evacuations have taken place, no widespread evacuations have been ordered.

A public meeting is scheduled for tonight (Tuesday, August 28, 2018) at 7:00 p.m. at the Exhibit Hall at the Platte County Fairgrounds in Wheatland.

It was reported that this fire started from a thunderstorm on Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

*UPDATE*

As of Wednesday, August 29th:

Mandatory evacuations were issued for Palmer Canyon earlier this afternoon and REA service to Palmer Canyon has been shut off.

This mandatory evacuation applies to residents in both Platte and Albany counties.

A Red Cross evacuation center has been set up in Wheatland for all evacuees at the Services for Seniors Annex, located at 809 16th St. Those in the process of evacuating are asked to call (307) 322-3279.