We are still here. Still packed, but still here. Dan was checking the fire line on and off all night. It is difficult to sleep with all of the smoke in the air.
Last night after dark I went out on the back porch and was shocked at what I saw. The whole mountain from left to right was glowing with red. It certainly makes one feel very small. Dan did take some pictures of the fire last night. I'm not sure how they turned out. But, I will get them added to my yahoo photo album.
We will probably start unpacking some things today.
Here is the current fire update from the City of Casper Website:
Morning Updates:
The fire burned actively through the night. Strong winds and low humidity are contributing to it. However, as of 7:00 AM this morning (Wednesday, August 16), there have been no confirmed reports of additional structures burned. The only burned structure thus far was a cabin on Rigal Road that burned early on Tuesday. Other important facts:
No additional evacuations have been called since yesterday afternoon.
No injuries have been reported.
Situational control of the fire was taken over by a federal Incident Management Team late yesterday, and a command center has been established at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. Crews from many jurisdictions, including the City of Casper, are contributing their efforts.
Fire crews will continue to focus on protecting structures that are threatened by the fire's leading eastern edge. Bulldozers have been building a line of protection south of the city at the northern base of Casper Mountain, and at this hour, that line is mostly complete.

Evacuation Areas:
To view a city map of the evacuated areas in PDF format, please click on the following link:
Evacuation Map
Residents in the grey area of the map do not need to evacuate at this time, but homeowners in the white and colored areas should evacuate immediately if they have not already done so .
Additional police patrols will be made of evacuated areas to protect against property damage. The patrols will continue throughout the night and for as long as necessary.
The evacuation area boundries can be roughly described as the area south of Highway 220 to Wyoming Blvd., south of WY Blvd. east to Casper Mountain Road, and the Elkhorn Subdivision that is just to the east of Casper Mountain Road. The only areas that are not being evacuated south of Wyoming Boulevard are the Sunrise and Stone Ridge developments, but residents of those areas are advised to watch closely for futher updates.
Current areas that are under evacuation include:
Upper Ridgecrest
South Wolf Creek
Garden Creek Road
Casper Mountain
Gothberg
Webb Creek
Hidden Valley
Coates Road
Squaw Creek
Wolf Creek

Instructions for Evacuated Families:
People from evacuated neighborhoods are asked to call the Red Cross at 268-3658. They will then be asked to register their evacuee status by visiting the Red Cross station that has been set up at the Casper College Administration Building. As of this time, all evacuated families have been placed in hotels, but plans are in place to house evacuees at Casper College if all hotel rooms are filled.

General Fire Information:
The fire continues to travel east toward the Hogadon Ski Area. It is being fought by approximately 250 firefighters from various jurisdictions, including many from the surrounding states. The fire currently covers approximately 8,000 acres.
At this time, only one cabin on Rigal Road (along with its outhouse and a nearby vehicle) have been confirmed destroyed by the fire thus far. Firefighters have been taking proactive measures to protect structures that appear to be in line with the fire's eastward progression.
Governor Freudenthal has formally proclaimed a state of emergency within the City of Casper and Natrona County. This formal designation should facilitate assistance from various state and federal agencies.
The City of Casper is currently contributing firefighters on site, and public service employees are working to assist with the creation of fire breaks, along with other support as necessary. Citizens seeking information on evacuation and for other fire information are urged keep checking the this website or to call the fire hotline, 235-9555. Citizens are advised to stay away from the affected areas. This fire is still very dangerous and fast moving.
Everyone is advised to minimize their contact with smoke, which may begin to affect asthmatics, seniors, young children, and people with other breathing problems. Such people are encouraged to take precautions such as staying indoors.
Travelers are advised to stay away from the routes up Casper Mountain if at all possible. As an evacuation route and a route for all kinds of emergency personell, it is extemely important that this road remain as free as possible. Motorists who stop for sightseeing or to take photographs will be ticketed by the Highway Patrol.