WAPITI - People who see trees on fire above their homes in Wapiti, Wyoming, met with the Gunbarrel Fire Incident Commander Wednesday. They were told they are below the region's largest beneficial wildland fire.

Gunbarrel Incident Commander Don Angell said, “This fire is the largest fire wildland use fire in the Rocky Mountain Region.” At 41,000 acres, the Gunbarrel Fire stretches from 12 miles east of Yellowstone, to about 24 miles west of Cody. Its blazes can be seen above the private homes and ranches of Wapiti Valley at night. In the day, smoke billows to the sky.

The Forest Service and fire incident spokesmen informed residents the blaze has moved into the Big Creek drainage now, which usually funnels water into the valley. Nancy Cord owns the ranch nearest the blaze. Cord said, “You can see the flames. It looks so much closer than it is in actuality. But, the smoke is huge.” Angell said, “We’ve had approximately 365 people working under me on this fire for the last nine to ten days.” Shortly before Incident Commander Don Angell arrived, the blaze threatened a group of cabins in the Shoshone Forest. Firefighters saved everything but a dog house. But, the Gunbarrel continues to grow.

Angell said, “The West end we have some structures threatened, three lodges in particular that are under short evacuation notice. On the east end the fire’s traveled over into the Big Creek drainage. We have been working with the property owners on that end to make sure and secure their properties from any runs in the fire.” Cord recalled, “We have this fantastic crew of hot shots that has been with us for over a week now.”

Cord says the firefighters dug a trench around her buildings, set up sprinklers, and, she said, “We’ve had the same manager the whole time, and he seems to really care about how we feel, how we’re managing, what we need. He has been extremely awesome.”

When asked what her neighbors should do, Cord says they should listen to the firefighting team, and not panic.