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Fire Status Update: Suppression Efforts Intensify Amid Changing Weather Conditions
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3 months agoon
Photo from Fort Apache 1 IA Crew
Elk Fire Update
Monday, September 30, 2024
Wyoming Type III Team, Incident Commander: Matt Weakland
Location: Approximately 6 miles northwest of Dayton, Wyoming
Start Date: Friday, September 27, 2024
Size: approximately 22,000
Percent contained: 0%
Resources: 7 Hand Crews; 3 Engines; 3 Heavy Equipment; 2 type 1 Helicopters; 1 type 2 Helicopter; 1 air attack; air tankers as available.
FIRE STATUS:
Air operations are underway, and retardant is being dropped by four large air tankers in locations where success is highest. Due to high winds, helicopter operations are paused.
Fire crews continue to focus on structures protection along the face of the mountain along Pass Creek toward Dayton, WY.
A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered to take over command of the fire. Wyoming Type III will remain in place until a transition can occur.
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.
CLOSURES:
WYDOT has closed highway 14 from Dayton, WY to Burgess Junction to all public travel. Sheridan County has closed Pass Creek Road, Twin Creek, Smith Creek Road, and Tongue River Canyon Road to non-resident travel.
For those affected by evacuations, please call Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174.
The Forest Closure Order has been updated. The northern portion of the Tongue Ranger District north of highways 14 and 14a is closed. This order is being put in place to protect firefighter and visitor safety. The area is being heavily used by firefighters, including large equipment.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
The weather is expected to change with much cooler day and night temperatures today. Wind direction is forecasted to change.
AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE:
It is expected that the fire will continue to put up a smoke column, please check the AirNow website at https://www.airnow.gov/ to monitor smoke movement.
Fire Information: 307-683-7019
Email: sara.kirol@usda.gov
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bighornnf (US Forest Service – Bighorn National Forest)
Photo from Fort Apache 1 IA Crew