BLM Fighting Ferris Fire 30 Miles North of Rawlins

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District and Carbon County, Wyo. are fighting the Ferris wildfire approximately 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, Wyo. The wildfire was first reported at 11 a.m. on July 27; the cause is under investigation. The fire has burned an estimated 250 acres of grass, sagebrush, and mixed conifer trees with heavy pine beetle kill. It is located in very steep, rugged terrain on BLM lands within the Ferris Wilderness Study Area. Resources on the wildfire include five interagency crews and one Type I helicopter. Due to the difficult terrain, the crews have moved to the base of Ferris Mountain and will conduct a flanking operation to prevent the fire from moving on to private property. The helicopter is being used to attack the head of the fire. Crews and equipment are being transitioned from the Seminoe Fire to help battle the blaze. Fire activity is visible from Wyoming Highway 287 and motorists are advised not to drive into smoke obscured areas. The public is asked to use caution or avoid the area entirely as fire behavior can change suddenly and fire spread is unpredictable if high winds develop.