wildfires

Help is arriving to bolster ranks battling a growing wildfire near Newcastle. Officials say the Oil Creek fire scorched nearly 9 square miles and was about 20% contained Wednesday. They say more firefighters and three more bulldozers are en route to help the 400 ground crewmembers there. No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the blaze is under investigation. Crews also planned to build more containment lines overnight. It is among several major fires across the state. A wildfire south of Laramie grew to 14 square miles and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes. Fire information officer Larry Helmerick says the Squirrel Creek Fire threatens nearly 300 homes and more than 200 other buildings. It has already destroyed one home and three outbuildings.