Wyoming

Wyoming is dry but the potential for large wildfires is “normal” so far

Published

9 months ago

March 20, 2025

Wyoming is dry but the potential for large wildfires is “normal” so far

Much of Wyoming is in moderate or worse drought heading into spring.

“ I was kind of surprised by the lack of snow in a lot of areas,” said State Fire Management Officer Jerod Delay about his travels to meetings around the state. “I thought there was going to be a little bit more around.”

An early outlook from the National Interagency Fire Center anticipates “normal” potential for large wildfires in Wyoming through June. Normal still means fires. A few early-season blazes near Wheatland already caused evacuations in February.

Delay said there’s some uncertainty this year about how much the state will need to help fight fires on federal lands, especially if federal staffing cuts hit firefighting positions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), told WPR in February none of the fired probationary workers were operational firefighters.

But many of those fired had the qualifications and training necessary to help mitigate burns, several USFS workers told WPR. Between recent re-hirings ordered by the Merit Systems Protection Board and likely new firings in coming months, the size and scope of the federal workforce on public lands this summer remains unclear for the moment.

“ If there’s reduced number of federal firefighters, what does that look like and how is that going to impact us? Is state forestry being asked to respond more on federal lands?” Delay wondered. “We just need some of those conversations to happen between the federal and state level to see what that looks like.”

Delay said the state recently sent some strike teams and engines to Texas to assist with fires there, as is normal this time of year when much of Wyoming remains blanketed in snow while the south heats up.

“ There were Type 6 engines and a couple Type 3 engines went down,” he said, adding each engine is crewed by two to four people.

Delay said some federal grant money for training and supplies from the Inflation Reduction Act was briefly frozen after the Trump administration ordered a pause on federal spending.

“They haven’t pulled any of it back that I know of,” he said. “It’s just we’re able to start utilizing those dollars again.”

He said in Wyoming, we could be in for a busy year with the dry grass and low snow he’s seeing around the state.

Spring is a good time to remove brush and flammable materials within 30 to 100 feet of a home, and clean leaves and gunk out of gutters.

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Wyoming

BLM deletes contested, off-limits ‘Golden Triangle’ parcels from upcoming Wyoming oil and gas auction

Published

58 minutes ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

BLM deletes contested, off-limits ‘Golden Triangle’ parcels from upcoming Wyoming oil and gas auction – County 17

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Wyoming

Wyoming Valley Mall closed Christmas Eve due to power outage

Published

13 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Wyoming Valley Mall closed Christmas Eve due to power outage

The Wyoming Valley Mall is closed today — one of the busiest shopping days of the year — due to a power outage.

In a post on the mall’s Facebook page, officials said “crews are on site actively working on resolving this issue.”

The outage happened Tuesday night and mall officials announced the mall would close early.

Over the summer, the mall was closed for nearly two weeks due to an outage.

The mall is closed Christmas Day.

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Wyoming

Former Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 16

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Former Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 16

LARAMIE — Marcus Epps hasn’t experienced the best injury luck over the last couple of seasons. After sustaining a season-ending knee injury a season ago, Epps has missed time this year with injury, as well.

That being said, when the former University of Wyoming safety is available, he produces. Sunday, with a lot at stake, was no different.

Epps had a pair of tackles in the Eagles’ 29-18 win at Washington. The victory clinched the NFC North Division crown.

For the season, Epps has recorded 12 tackles in 11 games played for 10-5 Philadelphia. The Eagles travel to Buffalo in Week 17.

Below is a list of all the former Wyoming Cowboys and how they performed in Week 16:

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (quarterback)
Allen got a little dinged up in the Bills’ 23-20 win at Cleveland. He was 12-for-19 for 130 yards, while adding 17 yards on seven carries via the ground. Allen sustained a foot injury during the game, but X-rays, fortunately, came back negative. For the season, Allen is 296-for-425 for 3,406 yards with 25 scores and 10 interceptions. On the ground, he’s carried it 105 times totaling 552 yards with a dozen touchdowns for 11-4 Buffalo, which clinched a playoff spot. The Bills host Philadelphia in Week 17.

Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars (safety)
Wingard had a mild game in the Jaguars’ 34-20 win at Denver. He laid claim to one tackle. For the season, Wingard possesses 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, eight passes defended and one quarterback hit for 11-4 Jacksonville. The Jaguars travel to Indianapolis in Week 17.

Frank Crum, Denver Broncos (offensive line)
Crum participated in the Broncos’ 34-20 loss to Jacksonville. He played 15 snaps, four on offense and 11 on special teams. For the season, Crum has played 114 snaps, 48 on offense and 71 on special teams for 12-3 Denver. The Broncos travel to Kansas City on Christmas.

Logan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys (linebacker)
Wilson put forth his best game since joining the Cowboys mid-season. He registered five tackles in Dallas’ 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. For the season, Wilson has 62 tackles, four passes defended and one fumble recovery between his time in Cincinnati and now with the 6-8-1 Cowboys. Dallas travels to Washington in Week 17.

Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints (defensive end)
Granderson boasted a good game in the Saints’ 29-6 win over the New York Jets. He made three tackles. For the season, Granderson owns 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, three passes defended and six quarterback hits for 5-10 New Orleans. The Saints travel to Tennessee in Week 17.

Chad Muma, New England Patriots (linebacker)
Muma, who was signed by New England from Indianapolis’ practice squad, played in the Patriots’ 28-24 win at Baltimore. He didn’t record a stat. For the season, Muma has made five tackles in six games played between the Colts and now the 12-3 Patriots. New England travels to the New York Jets in Week 17.

Treyton Welch, New Orleans Saints (tight end)
Welch has yet to be elevated from the practice squad.