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Man killed after shooting at deputy

GILLETTE (WNE) — A 55-year-old man was shot and killed Sunday night after he shot at a Campbell County Sheriff’s deputy who was investigating a reported domestic incident involving the man in the Wright area, said Sheriff Scott Matheny.

Deputies responded at 9:23 p.m. Sunday to a domestic disturbance in the 1100 block of Lawver Road more than 10 miles northeast of Wright. A 54-year-old woman called 911 to report that her husband had punched her in the face.

A deputy pulled up to the home, and the suspect fired at the patrol car with a shotgun, Matheny said, hitting the windshield. The deputy exited the car and returned fire. Matheny said he didn’t know how many shots the deputy got off, but he hit the suspect.

EMS personnel arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene. The deputy was not hurt.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is finished, Matheny said.

The Sheriff’s Office has not identified the man who was killed. A message to Campbell County Coroner Paul Wallem was not returned by the time of publication.

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Suspect taken into custody for homicide at Mirror Lake

LARAMIE (WNE) — After weeks of questions, a break has been made in the homicide case at Mirror Lake.

Jaymz Bitner was taken into custody by Gilpin County Sheriff ’s Office in Colorado on July 28 in connection with the homicide of his father, James Bitner, according to a Facebook post by the Albany County Sheriff ’s Office on Sunday.

James was discovered deceased on July 4, wrapped in a tarp at Mirror Lake on the Snowy Range summit near Wyoming Highway 130. Initially he was referred to as John Doe, but following an autopsy on July 25, he was identified.

ACSO has since reclassified the investigation as a case of disposal of human remains; however, the homicide case is still being pursued in Colorado.

The ACSO Facebook post on Sunday stated: “Due to the ongoing investigation, the Albany County Sheriff ’s Office cannot provide additional information at this time. We acknowledge and appreciate the outstanding work of detectives McKinney and Curtis for their tireless efforts and meticulous investigation, resulting in a pivotal breakthrough in this case. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families affected, and are committed to finding out the truth involving this matter.”

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Firefighters working to contain Clearwater Fire

POWELL (WNE) — The Clearwater Fire west of Wapiti had grown to 1,786 acres by Monday morning, but a team of more than 100 firefighting personnel have managed to contain parts of the fire and have improved defenses at nearby buildings such as the UXU Ranch.

According to the Monday update from Wyoming Type 3, Team 4 incident command, the fire, now 7% contained, continues to burn on steep slopes in conifer forest, brush and dead and downed logs.

The incident command said temperatures are forecast to be cooler and relative humidities higher, which may result in less active spread. However, gustier winds and thunderstorm outflow winds could drive more erratic fire behavior and lead it to spread on the south end of the Elk Fork drainage, the team said.

There were no new closures necessitated over the weekend, but three campgrounds remain closed. That includes the Elk Fork Campground, which is closed indefinitely due to the fire having previously advanced almost to the North Fork Highway down the Elk Fork drainage. The Wapiti Campground and Clearwater Campground are closed until fire conditions allow reopening.

According to the Monday release, fire crews completed work on the UXU Ranch, installing sprinklers and reducing fuel sources. Crews will begin installing additional burnout lines around the UXU Ranch and install sprinklers on the bridge to protect the decking.

Engines will patrol the highway corridor for any potential spot fires that could threaten the corridor, with aviation support as needed.

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Wildland fires grow in Campbell County

GILLETTE (WNE) — Fire season has picked up in Campbell County as two wildland fires sparked and continued to grow over the weekend on separate ends of the county.

The Wildcat Creek Fire started early Friday off of Rochelle Hills Road southeast of Wright and spread quickly thanks to strong winds and dry vegetation, reaching an estimated 17,258 acres. It continued into Weston County as of Sunday night, according to a Campbell County Fire Department press release.

In the northwest part of the county, Deer Creek Fire was reported Saturday and spread to about 7,000 acres as of Sunday, touching portions of Johnson County and Sheridan County.

Firefighters knew of no one hurt and no structures lost as of Sunday.

Crews expect to fight the Wildcat Creek Fire near Wright for several days as the state has stepped in with a Type III Incident Commander leading the efforts against the fire, which was about 30% contained as of Sunday.

Responders are fighting the fire with aerial support and heavy equipment, as resources have been provided from Campbell County, Weston County, Converse County, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Forestry and U.S. Forestry.

Firefighters are using indirect tactics to fight the flames, burning down areas large enough to prevent the fire from crossing and spreading, according to the release. The cause remains under investigation.

The BLM has taken lead on the Deer Creek Fire northwest of Gillette, with air support and heavy equipment also called in to fight the fire. There was no estimate on its containment as of Sunday and the cause remains under investigation.

A lack of moisture and hot weather in the region has primed wildland fires to spread quickly, burning dry grass and vegetation across large areas.

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place in Campbell County.