Residents Evacuated in Jackson, WY as Wildfire Threatens Town

Areas of Jackson, WY were under evacuation orders last night as crews battled to contain the now named Saddle Butte wildfire. Originally called the Virginian Fire, the blaze had burned about 300-acres as of last night.

The Deer Ridge Condos and Grand Design Building evacuations were lifted later in the evening and residents were allowed to return to their homes. About 30-homes in the Saddle Butte Subdivision remained under evacuation orders through the night and fire crews will re-assess the situation this morning.

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The blaze spread quickly and was outrunning fire crews throughout the afternoon and evening, reported Buckrail. As the fire moved east and then wrapped north on the butte, pedestrians stopped to take photos and watch from sidewalks, parks and hotels. All roads in and around Jackson were open Sunday night.

The still-active fire is the second such fire in Jackson this month, prompting Teton County to implement a partial fire restriction. Open fires are now prohibited in the unincorporated area of Teton County until further notice.

An investigation will determine the official cause of the blaze once the fire is fully contained.