Lightning strike caused small fire in Ponderosa Park at the eastern end of Casper Mountain

Yesterday afternoon, the Casper Mountain Fire Department was dispatched to an area west of the southwest corner of Ponderosa Park on a reported grass fire in a 30-foot-tall, dead and still smoldering ponderosa pine tree.

The Casper Mountain Fire Department responded with two fire engines and an emergency vehicle. In addition, another fire engine and rescue crew were stationed at the top of Ponderorsa Lateral Road. Units from the Natrona County Fire Protection District and Casper BLM District also responded, as did the Wyoming State Helitac team with a helicopter.

This fire was in an area that had already been burned by the Sheep Herder Fire in 2012. Several large dead trees and dry grass covered the area. The landowner was able to irrigate the grass at the base of the tree, however the top of the tree was still smoldering.

BLM crews managed to cut down the tree while Casper Mountain Fire Department ensured the fire was extinguished and cooled.

The cause of this fire was a lightning strike in the last few days. In one of the attached pictures you can see that the tree was struck. It shows the scar and the path of the lightning as it ran down the tree.

“The Casper Mountain Fire District would like to thank the Natrona County Fire District, Casper BLM and Wyoming State Helitac for their assistance. Additionally, we would like to thank the landowner for noticing this fire and calling 911, as well as his efforts in getting water to the trunk of the tree. Although this area is recovering from the 2012 fire, the dead trees and other vegetation are extremely dry and can be conducive to wildfires. Due to the numerous lightning strikes, a fire can smolder for a few days and begin to burn actively as humidity levels drop and temperatures rise. We urge the public to quickly report any sightings of smoke or fire,” the agency wrote in a social media statement today.