30 Percent Contained as Crews Prepare for Critical Fire Weather

News Release Date:
March 25, 2026

Contact: Christy Fleming, 307-548-5406

Lovell WY - Fire crews made significant progress on the Kane Fire yesterday, increasing containment to 30 percent. Due to these efforts, firefighters are in a strong position moving forward and will continue working to safely suppress the fire and secure containment lines.

Current Operations/Objectives

Today, crews will continue to patrol, monitor, and mop up areas within the fire perimeter while reinforcing containment lines. Tactics will continue to adjust as weather, terrain, and fire behavior evolve, with the goal of safely containing and suppressing the fire.

In anticipation of increased winds, firefighters have developed a tactical plan to adjust operations during peak wind periods, with particular attention to areas containing cottonwood trees and other heavy fuels that present elevated risk during strong winds and gusty conditions.

Fire Weather Outlook

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today from noon to 9:00 p.m., bringing critical fire weather conditions, with peak gusts around 45 mph, low relative humidity and above-normal temperatures. These conditions may result in increased fire activity and rapid fire spread, particularly in cottonwood trees and other receptive fuels in the fire area.

Fire crews will modify operations as needed during peak conditions to ensure safety.

For Thursday, March 26, conditions are expected to improve with cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity and continued breezy winds.
Tomorrow, fire behavior is expected to moderate; however, crews will remain engaged in suppression, patrol, and mop-up operations.

Closures and Public Safety

All roads within the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area remain temporarily closed. The public is asked to respect these closures to ensure firefighter and public safety and to allow crews to operate effectively.

Smoke Information

Local communities and visitors to the area may continue to see smoke from the fire. Smoke is expected to settle into low-lying areas during the evening and overnight hours. For more information on how to protect your health from wildfire smoke, visit AirNow.gov .

Additional Information

Updates on the Kane Fire will be posted on the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area social media channels and website as new information becomes available.

The Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area is located approximately six miles east of Lovell and encompasses 19,288 acres. Established in the early 1960s, the area supports waterfowl habitat through a cooperative agreement between the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Land Management.