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Fremont County reports progress on 24 Fire; residents begin repopulation as emergency response scales down
Summary
County officials reported the 24 wildland fire at roughly 7,385 acres with 24% containment, said repopulation of some areas began, and notified residents of a Penrose town hall; the board approved ratification of the local disaster declaration signature but did not extend the declaration.
Fremont County officials said the 24 wildland fire remains active but that residents were allowed to return to some homes under a repopulation or pre-evacuation status as the county demobilizes broader emergency operations.
"As of 10:00 last night, the 24 incident commander said the fire remained at approximately 7,385 acres. Containment increased to 24%," County Administrator Tony Krochi told the board during a morning update. Krochi said crews made progress strengthening control lines, conducted interior firing operations and were performing mop-up, tree removal and cleanup near Highway 115.
The county emphasized that Highway 115 remained closed and would be re-evaluated daily; officials said the closure was expected to last through Friday. A town-hall meeting to provide updates and answer residents’ questions was scheduled for 6 p.m. at Penrose Elementary School.
Commissioners and emergency staff praised the multiagency response, with emergency-management staff and local fire districts, the sheriff’s office and volunteer organizations all credited for mutual-aid work and logistics such as animal sheltering at Pathfinder Park. Commissioner Grantham and others highlighted community donations of food, water and other supplies for crews.
Community volunteer organizer Kevin Mamalji of Florence described an effort to raise money and provide a post-containment dinner for first responders. "We're sitting at close to $3,000 that we've raised from the community," he told commissioners, and said organizers had shifted the event timing based on firefighter needs.
The board’s consent agenda included a ratification of the chair’s signature on the local disaster declaration; that consent item was approved by roll call earlier in the meeting. County Attorney Eric Bellis later reported that the original emergency declaration, which was effective for seven days, had expired and—after consulting emergency-management officials—county services were largely demobilized. "It does not appear that we need to extend the local disaster declaration at this time," Bellis said; no extension vote was taken.
Officials warned that fire conditions remain hazardous across the region, noting very dry fuels, an unusually low snowpack and a recent stretch of high temperatures. They urged residents to remain diligent, follow local directions, and use the emergency-operations hotline for questions.
The county continues to monitor the situation and to coordinate with fire commands on any resource needs; the next public updates include the scheduled town hall and routine briefings from the Emergency Operations Center.
