A major incident unfolded in Carbon County, Wyoming, on Saturday when an asphalt tank at the Sinclair Refinery caught fire, sending a massive column of thick black smoke into the sky. Witnesses reported the smoke was visible from more than 40 miles away, sparking concern among local residents and travelers along Highway 76.
On my way to Boulder for the game —- Sinclair is on fire. pic.twitter.com/VhVpjddmlj
— Erick Pauley (@ErickOnTheRadio) September 20, 2025
Highway 76 Temporarily Closed
Authorities confirmed that a section of Wyoming Highway 76 was closed as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
“We had to block off the section near the refinery to ensure public safety and to allow fire units space to work,” a Carbon County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told reporters.
Residents React to Alarming Smoke
Local residents described the towering smoke with a mix of shock and concern.
“At first, I thought it was a storm cloud,” said John Miller, who lives just outside Sinclair. “But when I realised it was coming from the plant, I got worried.”
Fire Contained Within Refinery
Officials confirmed the Sinclair Refinery fire was confined to a single asphalt tank and did not spread to other parts of the facility.
The Sinclair Refining Company released a statement following the incident: “Our emergency teams responded quickly and worked with local firefighters to contain the blaze. At this time, no injuries have been reported.”
Cause of the Fire Under Investigation
Fire crews from multiple departments stayed at the refinery into the afternoon, monitoring for hot spots and ensuring the fire was fully extinguished. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality also began assessing whether the thick smoke had any impact on local air quality.
As of Saturday evening, officials said the cause of the Sinclair Refinery fire remains under investigation. A formal review will be launched by county fire marshals once the site is secured.
Refinery Expected to Resume Operations
The refinery, one of the largest employers in the area, has faced incidents in the past. However, officials stressed that this blaze was limited and could have been far more severe.
“It could have been far worse,” one firefighter noted, adding that the swift closure of Highway 76 helped keep the emergency response organized.
Normal refinery operations are expected to resume following safety inspections.
