Elk Fire grows to 91,905 acres as some roads are reopened

As of Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Elk Fire encompassed a total of 91,905 acres of the Big Horn National Forest with 26% of the fire contained and portions of US Highways 14 and 14A reopened by the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 [RMA-CIMT 3], which is overseeing the firefighting campaign, had allocated a total of 939 personnel to the operation, including 13 aircraft, 19 crews, 67 engines and 19 water tenders.

WYDOT reopened portions of US Highways 14 and 14A from Greybull and Lovell to Burgess Junction. Eastern travel from Burgess Junction to Dayton remains closed to the public. The Bighorn National Forest closures have further expanded to include Forest Service Road [FS] 319 as well as portions of FS226, Trail 200, and a portion of 038. The full order and map are available on the U.S. Forest Service’s website under its Alerts and Notices section as part of Order 02-02-06-24-08.

Authorities advised the public to expect increased fire activity and smoke due to unseasonably high temperatures, low humidity and the abundance of dry fuel. On Monday, these conditions intensified fire activity, increasing the fire’s overall area by more than 2,500 acres. Aerial reconnaissance identified fire activity in the northwestern corner of the fire and crews responded accordingly, swiftly working to create a control line and secure the area from further danger. In a press briefing, the RMA-CIMT 3 stated that it would increase patrols of the northwestern border of the fire to ensure its continued containment.

Tuesday’s temperatures were upwards of 20 degrees higher than the historic average for the time of year while humidity was as low as 16% in some areas. Crews continued widening and clearing trees and vegetation along Red Grade Road south of the fire and additional crews joined them following the conclusion of successful chipping operations along the 144 Road north of the fire. In addition, crews continued protecting structures in the Burgess Junction area by using heavy equipment to widen and clear roads, and create a boxed fire line.

Evacuations continue in parts of Sheridan and Johnson counties. The latest updates are available at the Johnson County Emergency Management Facebook page and the Sheridan County Emergency Management website. Alternatively, those in affected areas may call the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174.

The Red Cross has an evacuation center at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds that can accommodate people, RVs and campers, pets and livestock. Call 307-752-2174 or 307-683-6965 to make arrangements.