Elk Fire Update 10-17-24 9:30pm

Evening Operations Update per Bighorn National Forest

Moisture persisted over the Elk Fire through the afternoon and into the evening, resulting in no fire activity today. The southern side of the fire received 0.4 inches of rain, while the northern end saw 1 inch. To put it in perspective, about 13 inches of snow typically equals 1 inch of rain. Firefighters also focused on winterizing almost 250 portable pumps but were pulled off the line early due to safety concerns around the weather.

An additional 2-5 inches of snow is expected to fall in the fire area tonight. All personnel have been safely relocated to hotels, motels, the Sheridan Fairgrounds, and Sheridan Community College.

For tomorrow, operations will be delayed for safety reasons. With no night shift planned, tomorrow’s first update will come later in the morning, likely as the Daily Update. Any significant developments will be shared as needed.

While this moisture offers some much-needed relief, it’s only temporary. Firefighters remain ready to respond to the warmer, drier conditions anticipated over the next week.

Press Release: Red Grade Road Cabin Owners Granted Limited Access Friday October 18

In cooperation with the incident management team, the Sheridan County Sheriff and Bighorn National Forest are allowing access for owners of cabins along Red Grade Road tomorrow, Friday, October 18, to winterize their cabins.

Please remember that this is a dynamic situation and is subject to change. This access is for Friday only, and will only be allowed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is ONLY for cabins located along Red Grade Road.

The protocol for access is as follows:

• Check-in with law enforcement at Red Grade Road closure with official ID, plate number, and location/address of cabin.
• This is only for owners of cabins along Red Grade Road.
• Law enforcement will have a presence along Red Grade Road to ensure safety.
• Cabin owners must check-out with law enforcement at the Red Grade Road closure by 5:00 p.m.
• No trailers or heavy equipment will be allowed past the Red Grade Road closure.

Further opportunities may be available in future days, as fire conditions allow, and for others interested in retrieving items from the mountain.

We encourage everyone to monitor the Sheridan County Facebook page and the Sheridan County website for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of all residents.

Sheridan County Emergency Management