Wyoming Wildfire Triggers Rapid Evacuation at Youth Camp
A wildfire, sparked by a lightning strike on July 21, 2026, in the Laramie Mountain Range near Tie Siding, Wyoming, forced the rapid evacuation of Camp Batel Ranch. The fire, known as the Fish Creek Fire, quickly spread through the Medicine Bow National Forest, reaching within a quarter- to a half-mile of the camp. The camp, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had 20 campers and five staff members on-site at the time. The fire left only one safe exit route, prompting a swift evacuation within ten minutes. The Albany County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the fire was fully contained and extinguished by July 26, after burning approximately 16 acres (source: Outside Online, 2026-07-27).