Wyoming Historical Society seeks personal accounts and photographs of 2024 and 2025 wildfires

The Wyoming Historical Society (WHS) has announced a statewide initiative to collect and preserve firsthand accounts, personal stories, and photographs related to the significant wildfires that have impacted Wyoming in 2024 and 2025, including those currently ongoing

From the expansive Elk Fire and House Draw Fire of 2024 to the ongoing Red Canyon, Sleeper Ranch, and Spring Creek fires of 2025, these events have profoundly affected communities, landscapes, and the lives of countless individuals across the state. 

The WHS is dedicated to documenting these pivotal moments from an on-the-ground perspective, capturing the everyday stories, struggles, feelings, and factual observations of those directly involved.

 The Society is urgently seeking submissions from anyone with a connection to these fire events, including but not limited to: firefighters and emergency responders; individuals evacuated or otherwise displaced; landowners and lessee; ranchers and agricultural workers; medical doctors and all first responders, veterinarians; government agents and officials; volunteers and community support members and anyone whose life has been touched by the fires

The Wyoming Historical Society encourages individuals to share their stories, photographs, and any relevant documents.

Send email submissions to everyday.stories@historythatswy.org.  Please title your email in the following format: WY FIRE (FIRE NAME) (YEAR) (e.g., WY FIRE RED CANYON 2025, WY FIRE ELK 2024). Please ensure all photographs include captions and identification of subjects, locations, and dates where possible.

Submissions may also be mailed to the Wyoming Historical Society PO Box 33 Riverton, WY, 82501. Please include contact information and clear descriptions for any mailed photos or documents, including digital jump drives.