SCS recounts initial days of Elk Fire

Sheridan County Sheriff Levi Dominguez and Corporal Doug Sanders made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to discuss the initial events of the Elk Fire and the work being done to recover. 

Sheriff Dominguez said the call from Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson came early, when the fire was first reported on Friday Sept. 27.

The Sheriff said he was able to see the column of smoke from his location during the phone call. 

Sheriff L. Dominguez

By Monday Sept. 30, the fire had grown to approximately 22,000 acres, supported by high winds and dry abundant fuels located in rough terrain. By then, the Wyoming Department of Transportation had already begun closing roads.

Sheriff L. Dominguez

The Sheriff, Cpl. Sanders and Sheriff’s deputies spent days going door-to-door alerting residents in the various evacuation areas as to the current status and ensuring they were able to evacuate should the situation turn worse. Sanders said it is always an emotionally challenging task but the communities showed their true colors and banded together.

Cpl. D. Sanders 

Dominguez thanked and acknowledged the cooperation and united front multiple agencies took during the initial growth of the fire. Specifically, local ranchers and residents who came together in a time of crisis to help their neighbors when they needed it most. And Sheridan County Emergency Management Coordinator Jesse Ludikhuize and staff of the Sheridan County Fairgrounds who worked quickly to give displaced residents and animals a place to go. 

Sheriff L. Dominguez

It has been four weeks since the Elk Fire was initially reported by Bighorn National Forest officials. As of Oct. 25, the Elk Fire is at 96,935 acres and 58% contained. The Wyoming Department of Transportation has been repairing roads and guardrails. The Elk Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Team is on site, assessing damages to the National Forest and The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 is performing suppression repairs.

Sheriff L. Dominguez

The BNF has announced a community meeting is planned for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at the Sheridan Junior High School, located at 500 Lewis St. 

The meeting will be recorded and posted to BNF Facebook and virtual connection will be available through Facebook live streaming at: https://www.facebook.com/bighornnf.