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Elk Fire Update 10-29-2024
Elk Fire 2024
Publication Type: News - 10/29/2024 - 10:02
Elk Fire Update
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.
Wyoming Interagency Management Type 3 Team
Jon Warder, Incident Commander
Special Notes: Today, the Wyoming Interagency Incident Management Type 3 Team, led by Incident Commander Jon Warder, assumed command of the Elk Fire operations. Some personnel from the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 will be retained from the current team to implement a smooth transition and complete fire objectives.
Current Situation: Incident Management Team Leaders are watching weather conditions closely, and will make decisions on when to deploy crews based on how the rain and snow are impacting the fire area today. Firefighter safety remains our number one objective, and access to some high elevation areas could be difficult and dangerous.
Equipment will focus on Red Grade Road, widening defensible space that can serve to halt any future southern spread of the Elk Fire, plus provide future fire control options. Incident Commander Jon Warder noted that the protection of the Sheridan watershed, now and in the future, is a top priority for the team.
Elsewhere on the fire, firefighters will continue to repair handline and dozer lines that are no longer needed. The goal of suppression repair is to return areas disrupted by firefighting suppression tactics to the way they were before the fire. This may be delayed by weather conditions.
Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior: Colder temperatures, rain and snow have moved over the fire area. Significant precipitation is forecast throughout the day Tuesday through Wednesday morning. A winter weather advisory is in effect, with 10-14 inches expected in higher elevations, and 1-3 inches in lower elevations.
Closures and Advisories:
Red Grade Road remains 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/.
The Bighorn National Forest is continually assessing the Forest Closure, and looking to reduce the size of the closure where possible. Currently, 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: 98,352 acres | Containment: 82% | Total Personnel: 376| Location: West of Sheridan, WY
Reported: September 27, 2024 | Cause: lightning
