City of Sheridan Provides Update on Fire Retardant Use in Big Goose Drainage and Drinking Water Safety

The City of Sheridan has been notified that the Elk Fire Incident Commander has
authorized the limited deployment of aerial fire retardant in the Big Goose Drainage to
protect critical values at risk. The use of retardant in the Big Goose Watershed has been
sparingly and will continue to be; if further retardant is deemed necessary, it will be used
in alignment with the strict guidelines of keeping fire retardant drops at least 300 feet
from any moving body of water.

This precautionary buffer zone is critical to preventing potential water supply
contamination. The participating aircraft are equipped with precision GPS guidance
systems to ensure accuracy in meeting these requirements. The City has collected baseline samples of the source water and is working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compare any changes to the water in the future. The City is confident that these proactive measures will enable them to keep the community informed about any developments.

The City of Sheridan will post regular updates on social media channels as we continue
to monitor the situation. We encourage residents to follow our official channels for the
latest information regarding water safety.