While much of the country’s attention is on Hurricane Helene’s destruction and Hurricane Milton barreling toward Florida, Wyoming has witnessed a horrific fire.

The Elk Fire, about 10% contained, has burned approximately 75,000 acres and caused havoc near Big Horn National Forest.

KULR 8 reports:

The acreage burned remains the same, 72,998, Monday morning. The change comes in containment: Big Horn National Forest said the fire is 10% contained and 680 people are attacking the blaze.

Like on Sunday, the Sheridan County Sheriff will be allowing owners of cabins along Red Grade Road to access the area until 5:00 p.m. Owners wishing to access property must check in with authorities with ID and note no trailers or heavy equipment will be allowed past the closure.

Big Horn National Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson said at the community meeting on Sunday evening that in the last 100 years in the forest, the largest fire they had seen was roughly 18,000 acres and took a month to grow to that size.

The U.S. Forest Service claims a lightning strike caused the fire.

Over 800 personnel are battling the inferno.

“The southern part of the fire is a top priority for firefighting efforts today, as crews take actions to protect surrounding communities, the Big Goose municipal watershed, and structures in the Big Goose drainage that are potentially threatened by the fire. Heavy-equipment traffic on and near the Red Grade Road will increase and no civilian traffic will be allowed on the Red Grade Road today,” the U.S. Forest Service – Bighorn National Forest said in a Facebook update.

“Current Situation: On the fire’s northeast side, a hotshot crew conducted a firing operation yesterday off the 144 Road, and crews working the night shift secured and held the fireline by extinguishing hotspots. Crews will continue fuels removal work in that area today. They will also be patrolling and mopping up any heat sources around structures. Structure protection is accomplished through a variety of methods such as removal of vegetation near structures, construction of fireline, and placement of hose and sprinklers where possible. Day- and night-shift crews are continuing to brush and improve Pass Creek Road,” it continued.

May be an image of map and text

* Image from U.S. Forest Service – Bighorn National Forest Facebook Post *

Per Oil City News:

As of Tuesday morning, the Forest Service said that the Big Goose area is “potentially threatened” and crews, which total 829 across the entire effected area, are working to protect both the water system itself and adjacent structures.

Most other closures remain enforced. US Highway 14 is now closed through Dayton all the way to Antelope Butte and east of Lovell. Antelope Butte is notable for its skiing in the winter and is yet another recreational area threatened by the Elk Fire.

Crews are also focusing a lot of attention on the fire’s northeast side, where firefighters continue to improve Pass Creek Road and work to remove flammable material in the area. The western side of the fire, near multiple wildlife management areas and lots of dry vegetation, is currently uncontained.

Another community meeting allowing residents to have face-to-face conversations with Forest Service representatives and hear updates on containment efforts is set to take place at Bighorn High School in Sheridan at 7 p.m. Oct. 9. A video of the meeting will also be posted to the Elk Fire Information YouTube page and the National Forest’s Facebook page following its conclusion.

 

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