Nine Wyoming Counties Receive USDA Disaster Designation Due to Wildfires

Wyoming has received an updated disaster designation from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in response to the significant damages caused by wildfires across the state.

The updated designation, issued by US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a follow-up letter dated October 15, expands the number of counties classified as primary natural disaster areas from one to nine.

The counties newly designated as primary disaster areas include Albany, Goshen, Platte, Converse, Hot Springs, Sheridan, Crook, Johnson, and Weston. Additionally, nine contiguous counties—Big Horn, Fremont, Niobrara, Campbell, Laramie, Park, Carbon, Natrona, and Washakie—have been included in the designation as contiguous disaster areas. These updates follow a review of Loss Assessment Reports conducted by the USDA.

Wildfires in Wyoming have burned over 810,000 acres in 2024, affecting both private and public lands, with agriculture producers bearing much of the impact. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon expressed gratitude for the USDA’s recognition of the severity of the wildfire damage, acknowledging the broad and severe consequences for the state’s agricultural sector.

“I am grateful USDA has recognized the size and scope of the impacts these wildfires are having on Wyoming’s agriculture producers,” Governor Gordon said in a statement.

The wildfire season has been particularly severe across Wyoming and neighboring Montana, with nearly half a million acres consumed by fire in both states. The Elk Fire, currently burning in the Bighorn National Forest, is the largest wildfire in recorded history for the area, further highlighting the devastating toll of this year’s wildfire season.

With input from Sheridan Media and Oil City News.