Grass Fire Near Laramie Shuts Interstate, Evacuations Avert Damage
A 56 acre grass fire broke out Monday afternoon west of Laramie near mile marker 310 of Interstate 80, prompting a temporary westbound lane closure and evacuations because of nearby gas station infrastructure. Firefighters from city, county and volunteer departments contained the blaze around midnight, a local official said, and residents should be aware of wildfire risk along travel corridors as dry, gusty conditions continue.
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A fast moving grass fire that scorched roughly 56 acres west of Laramie began Monday around 4 45 p m near mile marker 310 of Interstate 80 and is believed to have originated from the highway shoulder, Albany County officials said. Flames reached 6 to 8 feet high as winds up to 10 miles per hour fanned the blaze, prompting officials to shut down the westbound lane of the interstate and evacuate buildings to the west out of an abundance of caution because multiple gas stations were nearby.
Fire crews from the City of Laramie Fire Department, Albany County Fire District and several volunteer departments coordinated response efforts. At its peak the fire spread across about 56 acres. Crews contained the blaze around 12 10 a m Tuesday and remained on scene to monitor hotspots and shoulder the perimeter. There were no reported injuries and no buildings were damaged.
Albany County Emergency Management Coordinator Kate Allred told Cowboy State Daily that investigators believe the fire "came off the shoulder of the interstate" and are looking for evidence, while cautioning that the exact cause may never be known. Local meteorologists who reviewed the incident pointed to dry air and gusty conditions across the region as factors that made ignition and spread more likely.
Utility provider Black Hills Energy issued emergency outage warnings in nearby areas because of the high winds and fire risk, although those outage warnings were later reversed. The brief closure of the westbound lane interrupted traffic on a major cross state route and underscored how quickly roadside ignitions can escalate into community threats when weather and fuels align.
The incident highlights public health and equity concerns for Albany County, especially for residents who rely on volunteer fire departments and limited local resources. Rural emergency response often depends on volunteer staffing and mutual aid across jurisdictions, and officials said the coordinated response was critical in preventing structural damage and loss of life. Even when flames are contained, smoke can affect air quality for hours or days, posing health risks for older adults, children and people with respiratory conditions.
Local leaders and transportation officials face decisions about vegetation management along Interstate 80, roadside maintenance, and traveler education to reduce ignition risks. The episode also raises questions about sustained funding for rural fire districts and the need for clear evacuation plans for businesses and residents near high risk corridors. For now residents can take comfort that multi agency coordination limited harm, while remaining attentive to weather driven fire danger as the region moves into a season of elevated risk.
