Elk Fire Update

The Elk Fire has grown to 49,555 acres. The fire began Sept. 27 and is located approximately 6 miles northwest of Dayton. Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 under Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough with approximately 200 personnel are currently assigned to the fire.

The Bighorn National Forest has updated their Closure Order, which is in place for firefighter and public safety. The closed area is north of the Red Grade Road to Highway 26 north to Highway 14 and east of the border of the Medicine Wheel Ranger District and the Tongue Ranger District.

Hot, windy weather is anticipated to start Friday afternoon and continue into Saturday. BNF reports this weather will likely bring increased fire activity and spread.

According to the BNF, there was significant fire growth yesterday. Crews worked on the southern end to slow the progression of the fire while helicopters dropped water to assist in their efforts. Several retardant drops were completed on the southeast side of the fire by airtankers; the retardant was dropped in areas to protect structures and other resources.

The fire was less active overnight due to cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity over the fire.

Current Situation: Today, firefighting operations will continue to focus on direct, indirect and point protection strategies. Firefighters will be improving existing roads and fireline on the northeastern, eastern, and southeastern portions of the fire area.

Multiple air resources, including 10 helicopters and a variety of airtankers, will continue to assist firefighters on the ground today as weather conditions allow. With these aerial assets being used on the fire, if you fly a drone or plane within the Temporary Flight Restriction, all air resources will be grounded for safety.

Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. The tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain, fire and weather conditions, and medical response time with a focus on only implementing plans and tactics that have a high probability of success.

Closures and Evacuations: Evacuations have been put in place by the Sheridan County Sheriff remain in place; please contact the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 for more information. US Highway 14 remains closed from Dayton to Burgess Junction. For additional road closures, please visit the Sheridan County Emergency Management website at Sheridan County (sheridancountywy.gov).

Those needing a place to take livestock or a place to stay in a camper may evacuate to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. If you need a place to stay and you are evacuated, please contact Sheridan County Emergency Management. 

Contact the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 for more information.

A fire Information Number has been established by Sheridan County. Please call 307-303-7642 with any questions.

Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s temperatures are expected to be in the upper 50s to low 60s over the fire area with winds out of the southwest around 15 mph. Relative humidity will be around 35%.

It is expected that the Elk Fire will continue to put up a smoke column; please go to the AirNow website (https://www.airnow.gov/) for smoke information.