Firefighters are responding to a new wildfire ignited Wednesday in northern Wyoming that has spread into Montana.

The Short Draw fire sparked at the northern end of Campbell County, Wyoming, and authorities are advising residents of the Border Line Estate/ Ranchets area to evacuate.

The fire is estimated at 200 acres Wednesday afternoon, and firefighters worry that multiple wind shifts could cause the fire spread in unknown directions.

Campbell County firefighting resources, Montana resources and aircraft have been dispatched to fight the fires.

On Saturday night, BYU travels to Laramie to take on the Wyoming Cowboys. It will be the first time BYU has played in Laramie since 2009. After wearing navy against SMU, BYU will go back to royal uniforms against the Cowboys.

BYU will wear the royal helmets with all white uniforms. The last time BYU wore this combination was against Oklahoma State in 2023. The Cougars also wore this combination in a road loss at Oregon in 2022.

Wyoming asked its fans to stripe the stadium in gold and brown. A couple hundred tickets are still available on Wyoming’s website.

BYU plans to wear unique uniform combinations in every game once again in 2024. Back in August, BYU revealed all the uniform combinations they will wear this season.

Southern Illinois – All Royal

BYU wore the all royal uniforms in the season opener against Southern Illinois. For the first time, BYU wore white facemasks with this combination.

SMU – Navy helmets with white uniforms

BYU wore a navy combination against SMU that had not been worn before. The Cougars wore navy helmets with all white uniforms and navy trim.

PROVO, Utah – BYU football kicked off week three of the 2024 season with a virtual press conference from head coach Kalani Sitake.

The ninth-year head coach spoke for 18 minutes with the media as his team gets set for another non-conference road trip. This weekend, it’s an old WAC and Mountain West rival, the Wyoming Cowboys.

Here are five key things we learned from Sitake’s press conference.

LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati are “doubtful” against Wyoming

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati, BYU’s top running backs, are “doubtful” for Saturday against the Pokes.

“That’s the way it’s looking. The good news is that no one is out for the year. But it might take some time to get some of those guys back,” Sitake said. “Hopefully, we can see what happens in the next 24 hours. If they are going to be available this week or not.”

Pokaiaua Haunga is in the mix at running back

KSL Sports asked Kalani Sitake if freshman Pokaiaua Haunga would factor into the conversation at running back with Martin and Ropati as both “doubtful.”

Haunga is a true freshman returned missionary and was a high school standout at Timpview High.

Despite not being listed on the depth chart, Haunga is going to be an option in the backfield for BYU’s running back unit this week.

“With Pokai, the question is whether or not to redshirt people. I think right now, I’m not worried about that,” Sitake said. “He’s going to be full-go and he’s going to play. And we’ll just move on with that.”

“Hopeful” to get BYU CB Mory Bamba back this week against Wyoming

On a positive injury note, optimism is growing that BYU will have Mory Bamba back this week from an injury. Bamba has been out with a boot on his foot.

#BYU said he’s “hopeful” that CB Mory Bamba will return this week. Bamba has missed the first two games due to injury.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 9, 2024

During fall camp, Bamba took first-team reps while Marque Collins worked his way back from an ACL injury he suffered last season.

BYU football gearing up for a hostile environment at Wyoming

This Saturday will be BYU’s first visit to War Memorial Stadium since 2009. It’s a place that does not love the Cougars.

Despite starting the season 0-2, Wyoming is expecting a sell-out this weekend against BYU. After Utah and Utah State, Wyoming is the most-played opponent in BYU’s history. Sitake isn’t worried about the history but is looking forward to the opportunity.

“These kids don’t know anything about the rivalry. I guess some of these guys have played in this game against Wyoming [two years ago], but they don’t understand the old conference and all of that stuff. A majority of these guys came here because they wanted to play in the Big 12 and this is another to play this game.

“We know that it’s going to be a hostile environment. It wasn’t a kind one last week either, but that’s college football.”

Plans for Ryner Swanson

Sitake was asked if he’s planning to redshirt Ryner Swanson this season. After this season, the former four-star prospect plans to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

#BYU freshman TE Ryner Swanson (@ryner_swanson) announced that he received his mission call.

He will leave next year to serve a mission in Kenya Nairobi Africa for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/EduLj03MpW

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 4, 2024

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During the win over SMU, Swanson had one catch for 10 yards.

“He’s a major weapon,” Sitake said.

The ninth-year head coach added that he’s not thinking about a redshirt for Swanson early in the season.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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