The 2024 Wyoming wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Wyoming during 2024.
Background "Wildfire season" in Wyoming typically occurs between June and September, but wildfires can occur as early as April and late as December. Peak time of fire season is normally in July and August. Wildfires in Wyoming are triggered by a dry climate, drought, grasses die and dry out, and times when dry thunderstorms are more common. Humidity levels, dryness of fuel, wind, and temperature also play a crucial role. Forests that have not had wildfires in recent years have more fire fuel, and trees killed by disease and insect infestation quickly dry up and become a prime fuel for wildfires.
Summary
By late August 2024, Wyoming experienced one of its most severe wildfire seasons in decades, with over 810,000 acres burned—second only to the 1988 Yellowstone fires. Dry conditions, high winds, and abundant fuel contributed to rapid fire spread across grasslands, forests, and mountainous regions.
The largest and most destructive blaze was the Elk Fire in Sheridan County, which scorched approximately 98,352 acres in the Bighorn National Forest. The fire prompted evacuations and threatened critical infrastructure, including the Little Bighorn Canyon. Firefighting efforts were complicated by rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions.
Other significant fires included the Pack Trail Fire, which burned 89,930 acres across Teton and Fremont counties before merging with the Fish Creek Fire on October 5. The Short Draw Fire in Campbell County consumed 34,557 acres, and the La Bonte Fire in Converse County burned 3,506 acres.
The 2024 wildfire season placed a significant strain on Wyoming’s firefighting resources and finances. State Forester Kelly Norris described the season as “massive,” highlighting the challenges posed by extreme weather and extensive fuel loads.
State and federal agencies coordinated efforts to manage and suppress the fires, prioritizing protection of communities and critical infrastructure. The 2024 season underscored the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Wyoming and prompted discussions on long-term mitigation and resource allocation.
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , or produced significant structural damage or casualties. NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef352 I-80Laramie2,193 Hwy 16Crook1,200 Happy JackLaramie6,524Caused by human activity. 139Laramie2,017Caused by human activity. CreekCrook1,470 Pine RidgeGoshen1,290Caused by lightning. Road 22Goshen5,576 Oregon TrailNatrona1,540 ClearwaterPark1,966DecemberLightning-caused. BadgerSheridan7,973 Beaver CreekCampbell1,081 Lightning-caused. Blizzard HeightsConverse1,957Lightning-caused. Cold SpringsConverse1,846 Deer CreekJohnson6,700 Fish CreekTeton & Fremont25,443Caused by lightning. Merged with the Pack Trail Fire on October 5. ConstitutionCampbell24,630 GeierWeston1,474 BarberConverse1,419 House DrawJohnson174,547 Flat RockCampbell52,421 Pleasant ValleyPlatte & Goshen28,984 RemingtonSheridan196,368Spread into Montana. Destroyed several structures, ranches, and killed livestock. Became largest wildfire of Montana's wildfire season. Injured one civilian. Silver SpoonCampbell1,721 West Warm SpringsHot Springs1,610 Short DrawCampbell34,557 Salt CreekNatrona1,520 Bear CreekAlbany1,444 La BonteConverse3,506 Livingston DrawJohnson1,400 ElkSheridan98,352One firefighter injured. Pack TrailTeton & Fremont89,930Merged with the Fish Creek Fire on October 5. DiamondPlatte2,168
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