A massive wildfire has devastated the childhood home of U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., as authorities reported that the flames have consumed over 28,000 acres of land in eastern Wyoming in the past week. The Haystacks Fire, which was thought to be under control on Monday, flared up again the following day, burning through the Haystack Range and the area north of Ft. Laramie, according to Goshen County Emergency Management.
In an interview with Cowboy State Daily, Hageman expressed her deep sadness over the loss of her family’s old home in the Haystacks, where she lived until the age of 7. The house, which was more than 100 years old, held special memories for her and her siblings. Hageman’s brother, Hugh Hageman, shared that there was nothing left of their family’s homestead, where they all grew up together in the small two-bedroom house.
The wildfire completely destroyed the rustic two-bedroom homestead that was once the center of cherished family memories. Hugh Hageman recalled that the house had been in poor condition even before the fire, as it had been uninhabited since the early 1970s. He described the loss as heartbreaking, as the home held sentimental value for the entire family.
The fire, which had spread to about 47 square miles by Wednesday morning, has forced evacuations in the communities of Hartville, Whalen Canyon, and Pleasant Valley. Helicopters and heavy tankers have been deployed to combat the fires, but as of Sunday morning, officials have not been able to contain the blaze.
The shifting winds have made it challenging for firefighters to predict the fire’s path, leading to the evacuation of approximately 65 residents in Hartville and Pleasant Valley. The devastation caused by the wildfire has left a significant impact on the local community, with many residents grappling with the loss of homes and properties.
As efforts continue to contain the Haystacks Fire, residents are coming together to support one another during this difficult time. The resilience and strength of the community will be crucial in rebuilding and recovering from the tragic wildfire that has left a lasting mark on eastern Wyoming.
