Single Publication

Wyoming Type III Team, Incident Commander: Matt Weakland

Location: Approximately 6 miles northwest of Dayton, Wyoming
Start Date: Friday, September 27, 2024
Cause: Lightning
Size: (6,312 acres night of September 29) The fire grew at least 8 miles to the south overnight. Maps will be posted once data is available.
Percent contained: 0%
Resources: 7 Hand Crews; 3 Engines; 3 Heavy Equipment; 2 type 1 Helicopters, 1 type 2 Helicopter , 1 air attack, air tankers as available.

FIRE STATUS:

Yesterday, the fire significantly increased in size. All air operations were put on hold for several hours due to high winds. Evacuations were issued along Pass Creek and Sheridan County Road 144, Pass Creek is closed to all non-resident traffic.

As of the morning of September 30, out-building structures have likely been lost. Local Law enforcement and firefighters are working with the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office to notify property owners of structures lost.

Fire crews will focus on working to protect structures along the face of the mountain in the Pass Creek, Smith Creek, and Twin Creek areas. Thank you to Sheridan County Fire for structure protection work all throughout the night of September 29 and early morning of September 30.

A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered to take over command of the fire. Wyoming Type III will remain in place until a transition can occur.

The objective is to protect critical values at risk. These values include firefighter and public safety, lands and property off National Forest Lands, two cow camps and a radio repeater site.

The strategy is full suppression. The team is utilizing all available tactics with firefighter and public safety as the primary decision driver. The approach to suppress the fire will be conducive to the terrain, conditions, and medical team response time.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

The weather is expected to change with much cooler day and night temperatures today. Wind direction is forecasted to change.

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE:

It is expected that the fire will continue to put up a smoke column, please check the AirNow website at https://www.airnow.gov/ to monitor smoke movement.

CLOSURES:

A closure order is in effect to protect the safety of firefighters and the public. An area including, Forest System Roads 145,150, 114, and portions of 167 and 168 along with Forest System Trails 201, 077, and 428 will be closed to public entry.

Sheridan County has closed Pass Creek Road, Twin Creek, Smith Creek Road, and Tongue River Canyon Road to non-resident travel.

Residences have been evacuated. Law enforcement and fire personnel are contacting affected people directly. If people need shelter for livestock or themselves, please call Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174.

This order is being put in place to protect firefighter and visitor safety. The roads are being heavily used by firefighters, including large equipment. If you can, please avoid travel in the general area. If you need to remove personal equipment from the closure area or roads behind it, please contact 307-683-7019.