Firefighters take on 2nd Tipton fire

Sweetwater County firefighters took on a second fire near Tipton early Tuesday morning.

According to Sweetwater County Fire Warden Mike Bournazian, the fire was reported by a nearby Union Pacific train, as well as travellers along Interstate 80.

Bournazian said winds in excess of 30 mph caused the fire to spread east and covered approximately a mile of land. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control several hours after it was first reported.

Bournazian said other responders from Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1, the Wamsutter Fire Department and the Carbon County Fire Department helped bring the blaze under control, braving below-freezing wind chill factors.

Bournazian said two years of above average and record-setting moisture levels have created above average fuel loads of grasses and bushes.

“This, accompanied by dry weather fronts that bring high winds with little to no moisture this fall has contributed to several large wildland fires throughout Southwest Wyoming,” Bournazian said in a text message to local media.

The fire burned between 20 and 30 acres of private and BLM land and is still under investigation.

 

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