Wyoming wildfires: Wildfires continue wreaking havoc in the Cowboy State

Just weeks after wildfires burned through nearly half a million acres in Wyoming and Montana – and communities continue picking up the pieces of the aftermath – more devastating fires have popped up around the Cowboy State.

In recent days, Wyoming received a U.S. Department of Agriculture Disaster Declaration to help assist in ag recovery from wildfire damages and Gov. Mark Gordon issued an emergency transport order to protect livestock and the ag industry in the area. 

Elk Fire 

Ignited by a lightning strike on Sept. 27 about six miles northwest of Dayton, the Elk Fire is breaking records as the largest wildfire to tear through the Big Horn National Forest in 100 years of recorded history. 

According to the Fire, Weather and Avalanche Center, as of Oct. 9, the Elk Fire had scorched 75,969 acres with 16 percent containment. 

“In the early going, crews were focused on playing defense to attempt to limit the fire’s spread, but the unusual weather conditions and its expanded growth have forced a more offensive approach over recent days,” explains Kyle Phillippi in an Oct. 9 Vice article. 

InciWeb reports 889 personnel are working to put out the fire, and in recent days, have been protecting the Big Goose watershed, which is notable for its role in sourcing Sheridan County’s water, and was directly in the fire’s path on the morning of Oct. 8. 

Crews are also focusing on the fire’s northern side, where a hotshot crew has continued conducting firing and air operations. On Oct. 9, InciWeb says crews prepared 144 Road and conducted firing operations to protect the Little Bighorn Canyon. 

“On the southeastern and southern parts of the fire, mop up and patrolling continues in the Crystal Springs area. Firefighting crews will continue to build additional control lines and prepare areas for potential low-intensity, strategic firing operations which would protect the watershed and associated water-treatment plant structures,” reads the InciWeb report. 

“In the southern portion of the fire, road graders are working alongside firefighting resources on Red Grade Road, and structure protection in the Poverty Flats area will continue,” the report continues.

On the fire’s western edge, which extends into Burgess Junction, firefighters are in place to protect structures and engage the fire if necessary. 

Since its ignition, the Elk Fire has destroyed two structures and induced evacuations and closures across Wyoming’s northern border. 

Individuals can stay up to date on evacuation orders and closures by visiting sheridancountywy.gov/news_detail_T10_R100.php or contacting the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174.

An emergency shelter has been established at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds and can accommodate numerous people, campers and animals. To make arrangements, call 307-752-2174 or 307-683-6965. 

Pack Trail Fire 

Although smaller than the Elk Fire, the Pack Trail Fire further to the west is also causing considerable damage to the Cowboy State. 

Caused by a lightning strike on Sept. 15, the Pack Trail Fire is burning 23 miles southeast of Moran in both the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone national forests. 

Over the weekend of Oct. 4-6, the Pack Trail Fire merged with the nearby Fish Creek Fire and burned across 60,676 total acres with 60 percent containment, as of Oct. 9. 

A 570-man crew is currently working to snuff out the blaze. 

According to InciWeb, the Pack Trail Fire pushed southeast to Leeds Creek on Oct. 8, where crews implemented structure protection in the Cowboy Camp area. 

On Oct. 9, firefighters continued to scout for natural and indirect holding features, improve road safety on Union Pass for crew vehicles and enhance the fuel break. 

“The west side continues back down Burnt Ridge. Firefighters will implement structure protection at Elk Track Ranch and the Gros Ventre area,” reads the InciWeb report. “Last night, firefighters accomplished a small tactical firing operation to improve control lines and reduce dry, flammable fuels near the 540 Road on the east side. Crews continue to improve indirect holding lines in this area.”

“Sprinklers and structure protection are being implemented in the Long Valley, Teton Youth Camp and Union Pass Subdivision areas,” the report continues. “On the north side, there was no new fire activity, but some heat remains in the interior and smoke may be visible.”

Teton interagency fire managers remind individuals there is a very high fire danger rating across Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge.

“Due to excessively dry fuels, any spark can ignite fire which can spread rapidly, becoming a large fire and exhibit extreme fire intensity. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution with fire or possible ignition sources,” notes InciWeb.

Updated evacuation and closure information regarding the Pack Trail Fire can be found at tetoncountywy.gov/320/Emergency-Management or @FremontCountyEmergencyManagement on Facebook.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.