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Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

Red Flag Warning issued August 11 at 2:17AM MDT until August 11 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY

2:17 AM — 9:00 PM

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities...Hot Temperatures...and Strong Gusty Winds...could cause erratic fire behavior. * AFFECTED AREA: In Central WY Fire Zones...280...285...300. In North Central WY Fire Zone....281. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In Central WY...Fremont...Natrona. In North Central WY...Hot Springs...Johnson...Washakie. * WIND: North 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * HUMIDITY: As low as 9 percent. * TEMPERATURES: Highs in the lower to middle 90s; Highs in the upper 80s in zones 285/300.

Red Flag Warning issued August 11 at 1:08AM MDT until August 11 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY

1:08 AM — 9:00 PM

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Tuesday. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 417 through 430. * WIND...West to northwest at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, turning northerly into the evening hours. * HUMIDITY...Between 8 and 16 percent. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Isolated high-based showers will have the potential to produce gusty and erratic winds along with a few strikes of lightning without much, if any, rainfall during the afternoon and evening hours. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Red Flag Warning issued August 10 at 9:27PM MDT until August 10 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY

August 10th, 9:27 PM — 6:00 PM

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR LOW RH AND GUSTY WINDS MPH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, AND 427... The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Tuesday. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 417 through 427. * WIND...North to northwest at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * HUMIDITY...Between 9 and 16 percent. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Isolated high-based showers will have the potential to produce gusty and erratic winds along with a few strikes of lightning without much, if any, rainfall during the afternoon and evening hours. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Overview

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland spans nearly 2.9 million acres across northern Colorado and southeastern/central Wyoming. The forest is currently open and accessible, though it's deep into winter season with several operational changes. As of mid-December 2025, all district campgrounds are closed for the season but remain open for dispersed use without services (no water or trash service—pack it in, pack it out). Key highways WYO 130 (Snowy Range) and WYO 70 (Battle Pass) are closed for winter. Seasonal gate closures are in effect for roads 42, Seedhouse, 550, Buffalo Pass, and Elk Park. Many roads are inaccessible due to snow, and some backcountry roads have deep ruts requiring high clearance vehicles. The Centennial Visitor Center remains open (call 307-742-9730 for hours), and Christmas tree permits are available through late December. District offices have limited holiday hours through early January 2026. Current conditions show moderate status across all units. Road conditions can be rough, particularly in the Laramie Peak area where switchbacks shouldn't be driven with campers after moisture. Winter recreation like skiing, snowmobiling, and winter camping are popular activities during this season.

Campgrounds

Aspen Campground Aspen Campground Battle Creek Campground Bear Lake Campground Bear River Designated Dispersed Big Creek Lakes Campground Blackhall Lookout Blacktail Creek Campground Bobbie Thomson Campground Boswell Creek Campground Bottle Creek Campground Bottle Creek Group Picnic Site Bow River Campground Brooklyn Lake Campground Brush Creek Pavilion Brush Creek Work Center Barrack Campbell Creek Campground Chapman Reservoir Campground Cold Springs Campground Crosho Lake Camground Curtis Gulch Campground Deep Creek Campground Deep Creek Campground, Medicine Bow-Routt Dry Lake Campground Dumont Campground Dumont Lake Campground Esterbrook Campground Freeman Reservoir Campground

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