Single Publication

Elk Fire Update – October 18, 2024

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough

Size: 96,179  acres (no change)

Total Personnel: 714

Containment: 44 percent

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 10 aircraft | 14 crews | 26 engines | 7 dozers | 16 water tenders | 2 masticators | 4 skidders | 5 feller bunchers 4 processors | 3 chippers

Key Messages: Both Sheridan County and Johnson County downgraded several evacuation statuses yesterday. For detailed information about the changes in Sheridan County, go to facebook.com/sheridancountysheriffwy. For Johnson County, go to facebook.com/JohnsonCoWYEMC.

Cabin owners along Red Grade Road will be allowed through the road closure today from 9 am to 5 pm to winterize their cabins. Additional opportunities may be available in the future as fire conditions allow. For detailed information on the requirements, go to Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: facebook.com/sheridancountysheriffwy.

Today at 6 p.m., after 18 days managing the Elk Fire, Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) 3, under the leadership of Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough, will transfer command of the incident to Rocky Mountain CIMT 1, under the leadership of Incident Commander Dan Dallas. Team 3 greatly appreciates the outpouring of support, generosity, and gratitude expressed by residents and communities affected by the fire.

Current Situation: Overnight, firefighters were housed at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds and Sheridan County Community College because of the ongoing winter-weather event. “This situation is pretty challenging and really dynamic with the inclement weather, but we will always be proactive with taking care of our firefighters,” said Casey Cheesbrough, Elk Fire incident commander.

The decision to put firefighters back on the fireline today will be evaluated throughout the day. Those crews assessing the fire and road conditions will do so from hard-surface roads to minimize damage to gravel and dirt roads and trails saturated with recent precipitation.

Weather & Fire Behavior: Cold temperatures, high relative humidity, and precipitation yesterday and through the night resulted in minimal fire behavior and no growth. The northern portion of the fire received approximately 1 inch of rain, and the southern side 0.7 inches. Areas above 7,000 feet in elevation received between 5 and 10 inches of snow. The winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 pm today, bringing the possibility of additional precipitation before a short-duration warming, drying trend begins tomorrow. The soaking rain penetrated soils and vegetation, reducing fire behavior immediately and likely for several days; however, stumps and large pockets of dead and down trees will continue to produce smoke. 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: sheridancountywy.gov/newslist. You can also call the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office (307-672-3455) or Sheridan County Emergency Management (307-752-2174). US Highway 14 is closed between Burgess Junction and Dayton. View the Wyoming Department of Transportation road-closure map here: wyoroad.info. Bighorn National Forest closure Order No. 02-02-06-24-08 is in effect. The order and map can be viewed here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices. 

Elk Fire Information: 

Phone: 307-303-7642 (8 am to 8 pm) | Email: 2024.Elk@firenet.gov | Linktree: linktr.ee/2024ElkFire