Single Publication

Elk Fire Update – October 13, 2024

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

Casey Cheesbrough, Incident Commander 

Size: 87,805 acres (3,477-acre increase)

Total Personnel: 901

Containment: 28 percent

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 13 aircraft | 17 crews | 70 engines | 8 dozers | 17 water tenders | 5 masticators | 8 skidders | 5 feller bunchers | 1 processor

Key Messages: Public information officers and fire personnel will be at the Story post office today from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm to answer questions about the current fire situation, operational strategies, and evacuations.

Percent containment decreased from 32 percent to 28 percent due to an increase in overall acreage of the fire.

In an effort to maintain continuity with Sheridan County regarding Elk Fire evacuations, Johnson County managers alerted residents in the Story area by issuing a Ready status just south of the Sheridan-Johnson county line. For more information, go to Johnson County Emergency Management’s Facebook page: facebook.com/JohnsonCoWYEMC.

Current Situation: Crews on the northern side of the fire will be patrolling along the dozer-constructed firelines watching for any hotspots, stopping progression, as well as clearing and chipping debris along the 144 Road. Crews patrolling the contained eastern side of the fire are finding very few hotspots. The south side of the fire remains the priority area for both night- and day-shift crews. Fire activity was minimal overnight as crews worked around structures along the Red Grade Road to make improvements. Today, firing operations south of the main fire are ongoing to reduce fuels and increase firelines as firefighters work their way south to Red Grade Road. Helicopters made numerous retardant drops yesterday around communication infrastructure, dozer firelines, hunting camps, and cabins. “We will continue to look south to Story and to communication sites in the area,” said Elk Fire Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough. “We have been successful so far by being proactive, and we will continue to operate that way.” Today, all 13 aircraft are available to assist with firing operations; however, heavy smoke and low visibility may limit their ability to fly. In the Burgess Junction area, crews are prepped and ready, but the favorable weather is keeping the fire activity low. Heavy equipment and hand crews continue to widen and clear the areas along the Forest Service Road 15, preparing it for future firing operations should that become necessary. 

Weather & Fire Behavior: Lower temperatures and higher relative humidity levels yesterday led to a decrease in fire behavior and were ideal for firing operations later in the day. Today will continue with lower temperatures and a light northerly wind, resulting in another day of moderate fire growth expected in most areas. Firing operations and the main fire could produce abundant smoke today; for air-quality and smoke information, go to airnow.gov. 

Evacuations and Closures: For information on Johnson County evacuations, go to Johnson County Emergency Management’s Facebook page: facebook.com/JohnsonCoWYEMC. For information on Sheridan County evacuations and road closures, go to the Sheridan County Emergency Management website: tinyurl.com/2s38bcc5. You can also call the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office (307-672-3455) or Sheridan County Emergency Management (307-752-2174). The Red Cross has established an evacuation center at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds that is accommodating people, RVs/campers, pets, and livestock; call 307-752-2174 or 307-683-6965 to make arrangements. US Highway 14 is closed at Granite Pass/Hunt Mountain Road/FS 10 (milepost 38.3). US Highway 14A is closed at Hunt Mountain Road/FS10 (milepost 85.6). View the Wyoming Department of Transportation road-closure map here: wyoroad.info. Bighorn National Forest lands around the Elk Fire are closed under Order 02-02-06-24-08. The order and map can be viewed here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.