Wildfires rage on in other parts of Wyoming

The smell of smoke and sight of ashes falling from the sky on Sunday drove home the fact that, while Big Horn County has to this point been spared, devastating wildfires are raging in other parts of Wyoming.

The worst of them are the Pack Trail and Fish Creek fires in the Dubois area and the Elk Fire on the other side of the Big Horns in the Dayton area.

Elk Fire

The Elk Fire, burning approximately 6 miles north of Dayton, was caused by a Friday, Sept. 27 lightning strike. By Saturday, it had grown to 511 acres, and by Sunday, to 6,312 acres.

As of Tuesday, the fire had consumed 25,085 acres and was being fought by seven hand crews, three engines, type one, two and three helicopters, two air attacks and air tankers, according to a release from the U.S. Forest Service.

U.S. Highway 14 remained closed from Burgess Junction to Dayton and management of the fire was about to be transferred from the Wyoming Type 3 Team to the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3.

For firefighter and public safety, the portion of the Bighorn National Forest lying north of U.S. Highway 14 and east of the border of the Medicine Wheel and Tongue River ranger districts had been closed.

Sara Evans Kirol, a public affairs specialist for the Bighorn National Forest, offered the following update on the fire in a Tuesday press release:

“Yesterday, firefighting operations focused on the northern and eastern sides of the fire with crews working to remove vegetation by use of hand tools and strategically putting fire on the ground to consume vegetation, or fuel, between structures and the fire. Air resources were used to assist ground operations and ensure for firefighter safety.

“Today, firefighters will continue to build fire line around the fire, where it is safe to do so, with the assistance of air resources. The strategy being implemented on this fire is full suppression. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority, and the tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain, fire and weather conditions, and medical response time.”

Pack Trail and Fish Creek

Like the Elk Fire, the Fish Creek and Pack Trail fires in the Dubois area were caused by lightning.

The Fish Creek Fire, which has been burning since mid-August, had grown in size to 25,081 acres, but was reportedly 87% contained as of Tuesday.

The Pack Trail Fire, which was not contained, was estimated at 18,525 acres. Much of that acreage burned on Sunday, when wind gusts of up to 60 mph required the evacuation of at least 60 people in areas east of Togwotee Pass.

A website that provides continuous updates on fires burning not only in Wyoming but around the country,  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov, offered the following update on Tuesday.

“Fire activity moderated yesterday after Sunday’s push, which was fueled by strong winds ahead of an incoming cold dry front. Monday’s fire behavior, while not as extreme as the previous two days, remained active. Another wind event is forecasted for Wednesday which could affect fire behavior and produce more smoke.”

For information about air quality wherever you live, visit https://fire.airnow.gov.