Elk Fire closure expanded and Forest enters Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

 To reduce the risk to firefighters working to protect critical values from the Elk Fire the closure area was expanded October 2, 2024. The closure covers the northern portion of the Tongue Ranger District south to Red Grade Road, 26.  Red Grade remains open at this time. For a map and the complete order, please visit the Bighorn National Forest’s homepage for a link, https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/bighorn/home.

Due to two additional fire starts Wednesday, Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson has put Stage 2 fire restrictions in place, which are in effect for the whole forest. While appearing on Thursday’s Public Pulse program, Sheridan County Emergency Management Coordinator Jesse Ludikhuize said the two fire starts Wednesday were human caused.

Ludikhuize said that while firefighters did contain the two fires that started Wednesday, it did have an effect on the firefighting efforts on the Elk Fire.

Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the ignition of any fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, unless the device is solely fueled by liquid gas that can be turned on and off. For a complete list of prohibitions under this order, please visit the Bighorn National Forest’s homepage for a link, https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/bighorn/home.

The forest service asks that people respect all closures and regulations to allow firefighters to do their job without delay, interruption, or the need to divert resources from the Elk Fire.

For fire updates, follow US Forest Service – Bighorn National Forest on Facebook. Information on Forest closures can be found on our website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/bighorn/home.