September 5, 2020: Wildfire at Hanna

Images from April Avery with contributions from Bob Leathers

The agency says the fire threatens "such destruction as would constitute a major disaster."

Saturday, September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020: K2 Radio in Casper reported:

A fire burning in southern Wyoming is threatening 200 homes and has the potential to impact 846 residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Saturday authorized using federal funds to help with the 316 Fire burning in Carbon County near Hanna. The agency says the fire threatens "such destruction as would constitute a major disaster." At the time of Saturday afternoon's request, the fire had burned over the Hanna water treatment plant and destroyed one fire engine. (K2 radio.com)

(Image from April Avery, Sept. 5, 2020)

Sunday, September 6, 2020

September 6, 2020: the following is from the Facebook page of Hanna mayor Lois Buchanan, who asked the message to be shared:

With all the hard work of fire fighting crews from all across the southern part of the state, Emergency Management, Red Cross, EMS crews and law enforcement, it looks like our little town has been saved. So very close, but no structures within the limits lost. Power supplies should soon be restored. So thankful and blessed to have these resources available. Most of all so glad everyone is safe! (Lois Buchanan, Mayor of Hanna)

September 6, 2020: the Casper Star Tribune reported:

Hanna residents were being allowed to return home starting at 1 p.m. Sunday after a wildfire prompted evacuations a day earlier. The Carbon County Office of Emergency Management was working with local authorities to bring back the residents who evacuated, the agency said in a press release. However, residents that return were being asked to shelter in place. The fire has burned roughly 7,500 acres since it ignited Saturday and is 0% contained, according to the Bureau of Land Management. FEMA on Saturday authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs due to the blaze, which threatened roughly 200 home and 846 residents. The fire burned over the town's water treatment plant and destroyed one fire engine, according to FEMA. (Casper Star Tribune, Sept. 6, 2020)

September 6, 2020: Joshua Wood of the Saratoga Sun reported:

In a message from Hanna mayor Lois Buchanan, it was confirmed that the Town's water treatment plant was 100 percent operational and that no structures were damaged. While some on social media had expressed concern about the cemetery being damaged by the 316 Fire, Buchanan informed the Sun that it "has minimal damage in one corner." "Things are wrapping up around here," wrote Buchanan. "Fire crews are still on (the) ground but many agencies were able to return home. The out pour of help was absolutely phenomenal!" In an afternoon phone call with Carbon County Fire Warden Ron Brown, the exact size of the fire was reduced from the original 10,000 acre estimate given Sunday morning to 7,500 acres. This estimate corresponds with one given earlier in the day by the Bureau of Land Management in a press release. Brown added that it is not uncommon for the size of the fires to change as more detailed mapping is performed. As of 4:30 p.m., the fire was still at zero percent containment. (Saratoga Sun - Joshua Wood )

Hanna Cemetery (Image by Jessica Reeves, Sept. 6, 2020)

(Image by April Avery, Sept. 6, 2020)

Monday, September 7 - Labor Day

TECHNICIANS WORKING DOOR TO DOOR IN HANNA TO RESTORE HEAT AHEAD OF STORM
By Greg Hirst on September 6, 2020 - Oil City News

CASPER, Wyo — Black Hills Energy technicians are working Sunday evening to restore gas services to approximately 200 residences in Hanna after the town was evacuated and services shut off due to the ‘316’ wildfire still burning nearby. Temperatures are expected to plunge Monday and Tuesday as a cold front moves across Wyoming. “Black Hills Energy is aware that the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the area, and will work diligently to make sure that all customers are back on the system as quickly as possible,” the company said in a release Sunday, September 6. Black Hills Energy shut off the gas at the request of local firefighters to completely shut down the Hanna, Wyoming, system last night. Power was restored by Sunday afternoon. Bo Secrest, gas operations manager for Black Hills Energy Wyoming, said turning the gas back on takes several steps. “We must first make sure all gas meters are off, then purge the system so that it’s ready for the reintroduction of the natural gas supply. Finally, our technicians will need to go door to door and relight each customer’s gas appliances.” “Black Hills Energy customers can assist us in expediting the relighting efforts by providing access to gas meters and restraining pets who may be on the premises,” the company said. “Additionally, it is required that someone over 18 years of age be present during the relighting process. . Our technician’s top priority is to safely return our customers to service.” (Casper - Oil CityNews.com)

(Image by April Avery, Sept. 7, 2020)

May 6, 2021

Approximately eight months after the Hanna fire the winter winds blew the unprotected dirt and sand into the Hanna Cemetery causing considerable damage to the grave sites. The entire cemetery was affected, but the northwest corner of the cemetery was the hardest hit for some reason .

(Image by Bob Leathers, May 6, 2021)