Brush Fire Southwest of Laramie Prompts Evacuations, Contained Same Day

A vegetation fire that erupted near Gabrielson Lane and Harmony Lane, roughly 20 miles southwest of Laramie, forced mandatory evacuations across several rural roads March 12 before crews fully contained it the same afternoon. By 8 p.m., the Albany County Sheriff's Office confirmed all evacuation orders had been lifted and no structures were lost, save for what the Sheriff's Office described on Facebook as a "poor trampoline that decided to take a little adventure."

The fire, which officials later named the Gabrielson Fire, broke out amid wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour and dry conditions that had already pushed the National Weather Service in Cheyenne to issue dust storm warnings for southeastern Albany County and southwestern Laramie County. The size of the fire was unknown in its early stages, but by 4:40 p.m. crews had brought it to full containment after it burned just over 32 acres.

The Albany County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory "GO" evacuation order covering a broad stretch of the area. "We are in GO-Mandatory Fire Evacuations for: Gabrielson Lane to Harmony with the houses to the North up to Mortenson and also Gabrielson to Bennys Lane," the Sheriff's Office posted to Facebook, alongside a map of the affected zone. By the 1:40 p.m. update, evacuations had expanded further to include Gabrielson Lane to Bennys Lane. Officials said notification reached every affected resident: "Everyone has been notified either by phone or door to door. Stay out of the area and let first responders work."

Responding agencies included Albany County Sheriff's Office deputies, Albany County Fire District crews, Albany County Emergency Management, Albany County Road and Bridge teams, and the Laramie Fire Department. First responders planned to remain in the area overnight to monitor for hot spots. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The fire arrived at the peak of a punishing weather day for Albany County. The National Weather Service warned that "dry conditions accompanying the high winds will lead to very dangerous fire weather conditions Thursday through Saturday," and a prolonged high wind event was forecast to continue through the weekend. By 4:40 p.m., the NWS lifted its dust storm warnings for Albany and Laramie Counties, though much of Wyoming remained under a high wind warning. The conditions were severe enough that one community member reported on The Laramie Reporter that wind was stripping fresh asphalt patching off Snowy Range Road.

Emergency alerts urged drivers to prepare for sudden zero visibility: "Pull Aside, Stay Alive! When visibility drops, pull far off the road and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights off and keep your foot off the brake." Alerts also flagged that infants, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions should take extra precautions during the event.

Residents can sign up for Albany County emergency alerts or download the free Watch Duty app for real-time fire and weather updates. The Albany County Sheriff's Office Facebook page was the primary channel for evacuation orders and maps throughout the incident.