Two Mountain West states are working together in a new way to try to get the grizzly bear taken off the endangered species list.

They recently trucked two bears from Montana to Wyoming in an effort to connect the two states’ populations. Experts say this move has a lot to do with politics and less to do with science.

The two states — along with Idaho — say the species has rebounded and no longer needs federal protections.

But that was overturned by a 2017 court ruling that said the Yellowstone population still needs to be more genetically diverse. Conservationists also argue that since the different grizzly populations are still not connected in the region, they’re not actually recovered.

So, in an effort to pressure federal agencies to delist the species, the states are starting to capture bears in one ecosystem and release them in another.

“It really is kind of a very preemptive action, so to speak, that addresses a concern that would normally be way down the road,” said Frank van Manen, who leads the interagency team studying these grizzly populations.

He said the grizzlies aren’t in a “dire situation” and that they’re naturally becoming more genetically diverse.

Right now, the Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide populations are only about 60 miles apart and getting closer, according to van Manen. He added that some bears could have already made the crossover on their own, but it hasn’t been documented.

“Now, the challenge is there is a lot of transportation infrastructure, I-90 and other highways in between, a lot of human-occupied areas,” he said. “The permeability of that landscape is not the same as inside the ecosystem.”

Van Manen said his team will keep up with the bears that have been dropped off in Yellowstone National Park and near Dubois, Wyoming. They had no history of conflict and will be monitored with a GPS collar.

If they don’t reproduce, van Manan said the agencies may need to truck over more grizzlies.

A decision on the grizzly bears’ status on the endangered species list is slated to come in January.

A fire in northern Wyoming that exploded Wednesday to more than 5,000 acres has displaced about 10 families and shut down Interstate 90 between Buffalo and Gillette, an emergency management coordinator said.

The fire started around 11 a.m. or noon Wednesday south of Buffalo near Crook Road, Johnson County Emergency Management Coordinator Jimmy Cataline told Cowboy State Daily in an afternoon phone call.

That’s a rural area with a mini-community of between 10 and 15 houses around Deer Trail, plus farm, ranch and public lands, Cataline added.

High winds whipped up the flames across the dry fields. Pushing northeast, the fire grew rapidly and crossed over Interstate 90 toward Deer Creek.

Evacuate

Authorities gave evacuation orders, with Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies, Buffalo police officers and Bureau of Land Management rangers visiting homes door-to-door to deliver the message.

A shelter is now open at the Bomber Mountain Civic Center in downtown Buffalo, Cataline said.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, no one had taken refuge there. Cataline said some locals have been offering to help with food, water or other accommodations. Animals are welcome at the animal shelter and livestock or other pets are also welcome at the Johnson County fairgrounds, he said.

“I don’t have numbers on how many people have been evacuated because nobody’s come here,” said Cataline of the shelter.

Because the fire has crossed Interstate 90 (at around mile marker 72), the Wyoming Highway Patrol has closed the interstate between Buffalo and Gillette temporarily.

Cataline said personnel are diverting traffic up an old state highway that connected Sheridan and Gillette before the interstate and “up some smaller backroads.”

Johnson County Fire, Powder River Fire, Buffalo Fire, Story Fire and BLM Fire all are responding to fight the blaze, he said.

“The coordinated team effort going on among all those groups, and how quick to action they were is exceptional,” Cataline said. “The fire hasn’t slowed down and neither have they.”

Firefighters hope for the wind to die down this evening, and with a chance of rain.

“We’re all doing a rain dance now,” said the emergency coordinator. 

Cataline said he does not yet know the fire’s cause, though some are blaming lightning.

Johnson County Fire Control could not be reached immediately Wednesday.  

Forecast Not Encouraging

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day said Wednesday’s forecast isn’t encouraging. The wind should abate a little after dark, but the region will be warm and breezy again starting Thursday.

“There are showers and thunderstorms out there, but they’re more to the east – the South Dakota border, more towards Newcastle, Sundance – those areas,” said Day.

Chances of rain in Buffalo are low.

Day said he didn’t have exact lightning data at his fingertips, nor could he pinpoint the fire’s cause, but there was lightning activity in the area around the time the fire started.

Contact Clair McFarland at clair@cowboystatedaily.com

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.

Editor’s Note: This is a rapidly changing story. For latest information, click the links.

Portions of Johnson County, south of Buffalo, are under an evacuation order due to a wildfire.

Residents north of I-90 from Tipperary Road to the northern and eastern county lines are urged to evacuate. I-90 is closed between Buffalo and Gillette as the fire crosses the freeway, moving north-northeast.

Residents on Trabing are not currently under evacuation orders.

A shelter is open at Bomber Mountain Civic Center in Buffalo. Indoor pets are welcome. Livestock can be taken to the Johnson County Fairgrounds or Buffalo Sale Barn.

The fast moving, wind-driven House Draw Fire was discovered this morning. It’s burning about 4,000 acres.

Winds are expected to ease by 6 p.m., which could help slow the spread of the fire.

Authorities are asking people to please stay out of the area. Traffic congestion prohibits first responders from accessing critical points.

Fire engines from Johnson County, Powder River Fire Department, and the Forest Service are also responding in addition to aerial support from Single Engine Airtankers and a Large Airtanker, according to Bureau of Land Management Wyoming. A Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) has been ordered.

BLM fire crews are assisting in response to the House Draw Fire located southeast of Buffalo, WY. The fire is currently estimated at 4,000 acres. Fire engines from Johnson County, Powder River Fire Department, and the Forest Service are also responding in addition to aerial support from Single Engine Airtankers and a Large Airtanker. A Very Large Airtanker has been ordered. The fire is fast-moving and wind driven – for the safety of firefighters and the public, please avoid the area at this time.