Single Publication

Elk Fire Update

Sunday, October 27, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 307-303-7642

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email:2024.Elk@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wybhf-elk-fire-2024

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bighornnf

Information Linktree:https://linktr.ee/2024ElkFire

Special Notes: A community meeting is planned for 6 p.m. Monday, October 28th, at the Sheridan Junior High School, located at 500 Lewis Street. The meeting will be recorded and posted to Facebook and virtual connection will be available through Facebook live streaming at: https://www.facebook.com/bighornnf.

Current Situation: Firefighters took advantage of yesterday’s dry and warm conditions, which allowed for the continuation of suppression repair work and strengthening of indirect firelines. Fire acreage did expand slightly due to field verification of infrared mapping. No actual fire growth occurred. Little change in tactics will occur today, and smoke will once again be noticeable as fuels are consumed in the fire’s interior. Warm, dry temperatures are predicted again, and wind gusts will be escalating throughout the day, ranging from 30-40 mph. These winds will be a good test of firelines, although they pose an increased risk to firefighters due to greater potential for falling burned trees or snags. Extra caution will be required. Firefighters will be striving to complete work where feasible before rain and snow begin tomorrow evening, as significant amounts are predicted. 

Division A: This division continues to be unstaffed and observed by aircraft. 

Divisions Z, P, M, K, I: Firefighters saw some amplified fire behavior in Division I yesterday, although little change was observed in other divisions. Previous day’s operations will continue being implemented as firefighters try to complete as much suppression repair work as possible before the winter weather arrives.

Division H: Heavy equipment working on the shaded fuel break made headway moving past Long Park on the Red Grade Road and Forest Road 26. More progress is expected today.

Divisions D, F: Suppression repair supported with chipping operations occurred and is expected to conclude tomorrow. 

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will be above normal again today ranging from the 60s to lower 70s depending on elevation. Humidity will be below 20% and winds will range from 12-17 mph. Wind gusts will increase throughout the day and be active overnight as the winter weather storm is pulled into the area. Smoke will continue to be visible due to some active fire behavior where fine fuels are exposed to sunlight, wind, and in proximity to heavy fuels that have held heat. Fire spread outside the current perimeter is unlikely due to the minimal presence of heat sources near firelines.

Evacuations: All evacuations for the Elk Fire have been lifted.

Closures and Advisories: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Elk Fire. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Red Grade Road is closed. US Highway 14 between Burgess Junction and Dayton is open, restrictions are in place for some commercial vehicles based on weight and size. Additional information is at: https://www.wyroad.info/.

Bighorn National Forest closure Order No. 02-02-06-24-08 remains in effect. The order and map can be viewed here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.

Elk Fire Statistics: Size: 98,185 acres | Containment: 73% | Total Personnel: 529 | Location: West of Sheridan, WY

Reported: September 27, 2024 | Cause: lightning