WYDOT to close US 189/191 today due to wildfire

The Wyoming Department of Transportation will close US 189/191 later today to allow firefighters to battle a wildfire near Jackson.

The highway will be closed for most of the day due to the Roosevelt wildfire. Crews will re-evaluate conditions this afternoon and decide whether or not to reopen the road.

Earlier on Tuesday, WYDOT used pilot cars to move traffic safely through parts of US 189/191 between Hoback Junction and Daniel Junction. WYDOT had one lane of travel open, with pilot cars directing traffic through the area.

The Roosevelt wildfire near Jackson has grown to 49,805 acres as of about 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25, information from the U.S. Forest Service’s website indicated. Emergency responders have contained about 25 percent of that wildfire. The fire started on Sept. 15. 

The Ryan wildfire in Carbon County started on Sept. 15, 27 miles northwest of Walden, Colorado and spread into Wyoming. So far, that fire has engulfed about 19,962 acres of land, information from the U.S. Forest Service’s website indicated. Emergency responders have contained about 30 percent of that wildfire.

The edge of the fire moved closer to WYO 230 between Riverside and the state line. WYDOT used portable message signs to alert motorists of smoke they may encounter.

Travelers can visit WYDOT’s 511 website for the latest on the wildfire impacts to road and travel conditions.

Travelers can also get updated information from the U.S. Forest Service website about the fires.