CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -Crews were making progress Thursday toward containing a wildfire that has burned four mountaintop cabins and was threatening hundreds of other houses near Casper.

“If the weather holds today, I think we’ll be getting quite a bit more progress,” said Vince Mazzier, spokesman for the federal management team that’s directing the firefighting efforts.

The blaze was 30 percent contained, although it grew overnight to well over 10,000 acres – more than 15 square miles.

People in hundreds of homes on Casper Mountain and surrounding areas have been told to evacuate since the lightning-sparked fire was reported Monday. There were no reports of injuries.

“We have lots of displaced people,” Mazzier said. “And of course, they’re always concerned about what’s going on with their homes.”

Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who toured the fire with State Forester Bill Crapser, said Thursday would likely be a critical day, citing how quickly winds can whip up on the mountain this time of year.

“It reflects how unpredictable the circumstances are here,” Freudenthal said.

Crapser said the fire burned around some homes but officials were concerned that if it gets into canyons, it would be able to hook around and start new runs in developed areas.

“The wind is just howling up here,” Crapser said. “We’ve got red flag warnings up here today.”

As the fire threatened her home, Heather Carter packed a tea cup from her great uncle, her chef’s knife, a cookbook and a “lot of shoes.”

Then she realized she was missing the ashes of her dog, Zoe, who recently died.

“I didn’t want her to burn twice,” Carter told the Casper Star-Tribune.

Dennis Polk grabbed photographs and important documents before heading to a hotel.

“Tomorrow is another day,” he said. “We’re just wondering when we will be able to get back to go home or if there will actually be a something to go home to.”

AP-ES-08-17-06 1553EDT