WYOMING
— A fast-moving wildfire in southern Wyoming has forced the full closure of
Wyoming Highway 130 (WY130)
between
Saratoga and Laramie
, leaving residents and travelers with no timeline for when the major route will reopen.
According to the
Wyoming Highway Patrol
, the fire prompted officials to
shut down WY130 in both directions Friday afternoon
, with the
main closure point near milepost 54
, including the
eastbound gate between WY230 and MileMarker 48
.
Key Travel Route Cut Off
The affected stretch of WY130 is a critical connector for those traveling through
Carbon and Albany counties
— including commuters, local residents, and tourists headed to outdoor destinations like
Medicine Bow National Forest
and the
Snowy Range
.
No estimated reopening time has been given
, and authorities continue to stress that
the situation remains fluid
depending on firefighting progress and weather conditions.
Fire Response Efforts Hindered by Parked Vehicles
Authorities have also issued
urgent warnings for drivers to avoid stopping on the roadway
, which is interfering with firefighting operations.
“If you stop your car along the highway, you’re putting our crews in danger and making it harder for us to move equipment,” officials said in a statement.
Any parked vehicles in the area not only risk damage but
delay the overall containment efforts
and extend road closures.
Detours and Safety Measures
Travelers hoping to reach
Laramie, Saratoga, or Encampment
are advised to
take I-80
or consult
local detour routes
. Those already in the area should expect:
-
Thick smoke
-
Rapidly changing road conditions
-
Firefighting equipment on highways
-
Limited visibility
Motorists should use the
Wyoming511 app
or check
wyoroad.info
for real-time information.
Conditions Remain Dangerous
Wildfires are becoming increasingly common across the Mountain West, especially during the hot and dry late-summer season. As of now,
there has been no official estimate
on the size of the fire or its containment level.
Officials have not confirmed the cause
of the blaze, but crews from multiple local and state fire units are working to contain the flames and protect nearby communities.
Are you currently in southern Wyoming or traveling near the closure zone?
Have you experienced recent wildfire-related roadblocks while traveling?
Share your story in the comments on
SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com
.
