Bighorn National Forest Office on the Elk Fire, closes Hwy 14 and 14A.

For Monday, Sept. 30, The Forest reports the fire was 6,312 acres the night of Sept. 29. The fire grew at least 8 miles to the south overnight. 

The fire is burning at 0% containment approximately 6 miles northwest of Dayton, Wy. and was caused by lightning on Friday, Sept. 27.

BNF reports that Residences have been evacuated. Law enforcement and fire personnel are contacting affected people directly. If people need shelter for livestock or themselves, please call Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174.

A Wyoming Type III Team is currently battling the blaze under the command of Incident Commander Matt Weakland. Although a Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered to take over command of the fire. The Wyoming Type III will remain in place until a transition can occur.

Currently at Weakland’s disposal are seven hand crews; three engines; three pieces of heavy equipment; two type 1 helicopters, one type 2 Helicopter, one air attack and air tankers as available. 

According to the BNF, the objective is to protect critical values at risk. These values include firefighter and public safety, lands and property off National Forest Lands, two cow camps and a radio repeater site.

The strategy is full suppression. The team is utilizing all available tactics with firefighter and public safety as the primary decision driver. The approach to suppress the fire will be conducive to the terrain, conditions, and medical team response time.

The Forest reports that yesterday, the fire significantly increased in size. All air operations were put on hold for several hours due to high winds. Evacuations were issued along Pass Creek and Sheridan County Road 144, Pass Creek is closed to all non-resident traffic. 

As of the morning of Sept. 30, out-building structures have likely been lost. Local Law enforcement and firefighters are working with the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office to notify property owners of structures lost. 

The Forest publicly thanked Sheridan County Fire for structure protection work all throughout the night of Sept. 29, and early morning of Sept. 30. 

Fire crews will focus on working to protect structures along the face of the mountain in the Pass Creek, Smith Creek, and Twin Creek areas. The weather is expected to change with much cooler day and night temperatures today. Wind direction is forecasted to change

It is expected that the fire will continue to put up a smoke column, please check the AirNow website by clicking here, to monitor smoke movement.

The Forest reports a closure order is in effect to protect the safety of firefighters and the public. All roads and trails in the Tongue Ranger District north of US Hwy 14 and 14A (to include Hwys 14 and 14A) are now closed. 

Sheridan County has closed Pass Creek Road, Twin Creek, Smith Creek Road, and Tongue River Canyon Road to non-resident travel.

This order is being put in place to protect firefighter and visitor safety. The roads are being heavily used by firefighters, including large equipment. If possible, The Forest is asking the public to please avoid travel in the general area.

If you need to remove personal equipment from the closure area or roads behind it, please contact 307-683-7019.

The BNF Facebook page can be found here.