Downed Power Line Sparks Grass and Structure Fire on Fort Buford Lane

A downed power line ignited a grass-and-structure fire that raced through fields west of Laramie and into the shoulder area near Fort Buford Lane, prompting evacuations, brief highway closures and utility shutdowns. Multiple agencies responded, and crews contained the blaze after it burned roughly 56 acres and threatened nearby businesses and homes.

The Albany County Sheriff’s Office posted that emergency crews were on scene in the 3400 block of Fort Buford Lane, and initial reports described both a structure and a grass fire. Other accounts placed the origin in a field near mile marker 310 of Interstate 80. Law enforcement and emergency management used both location descriptions in public notices; investigators are treating the reports as referring to the same incident while examining specific origin points.

Firefighters and county crews encountered flames reported at 6-8 feet and winds up to 10 mph as the blaze moved through dry grass. Responders temporarily closed I-80 westbound and later reopened it; Banner Road remained closed through the night while crews monitored the area. The proximity of the fire to multiple gas stations and travel centers elevated risk and contributed to the decision to evacuate nearby properties.

Evacuation orders covered the area east of I-80 and west of the Laramie River, north of Curtis Street. Deputies and officers conducted door-to-door notifications and directed evacuees to the Albany County Fairgrounds. An Albany County Emergency Management Agency post later lifted evacuation orders at about 12:25 a.m., clearing residents to return once crews deemed the area safe. Power in parts of West Laramie went out when utilities shut lines in the fire zone; about 2,500 customers were affected. Power was restored to most customers at about 11:10 p.m., with work continuing in the immediate fire area.

Agencies on scene included the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, Laramie Fire Department, Albany County volunteer fire departments, Laramie Police Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, City of Laramie Street Division and Albany County Road and Bridge Department. A sheriff’s office update thanked residents for their cooperation and said, “Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation. The fire is out but fire crews are still on scene to cleanup.” Another early post noted, “The Albany County Sheriff’s Office, Laramie Fire Department, and Albany County Volunteer Firefighters are all on scene.”

Investigators from county emergency management and partner agencies continue to examine the scene. Albany County Emergency Management coordinator Kate Allred said investigators “know where it started” and added, “It definitely came off the shoulder of the interstate.” Allred said crews are looking for evidence of an ignition source and acknowledged investigators “may never know” the exact spark that started the fire.

For residents, the incident underscores the intersection of transportation corridors, utility infrastructure and community safety. Officials will need to share final findings about the role of the downed line and any infrastructure failures that contributed to the spread. In the short term, expect continued monitoring, road restrictions and utility work in the Fort Buford Lane and I-80 corridor as cleanup and shouldering operations continue.