Single Publication

Summary: The Clearwater Fire started on Friday, July 19th, 2024, in the early afternoon. The fire is located in the Elk Fork vicinity. The location of the fire is very difficult terrain that makes suppression efforts challenging. The fire cause was from lightning.

The aerial assessment of the Clearwater Fire showed growth along the Elk Fork Canyon and Highway 14 Corridor; fortunately, the fire did not cross the highway nor travel south along the Elk Fork Drainage. A Type 1 helicopter will be used to support containment in Elk Fork. Crews will finish structure protection preparation work in the Bill Cody Ranch area and begin fuel reduction work in the Moss Creek and Aspen Creek areas.

Closures: Elk Fork Campground, Wapiti Campground, Big Game Campground, Wapiti Ranger Station, and Pagoda Summer Homes are all closed. These closures provide public safety and increased access to fire resources. A road and trail closure are in effect at NFS Road #424, Elk Fork Road and NFS Trail # 760, Elk Fork Trail. The purpose of this Order is to protect human health and safety from the Clearwater fire. More information can be found: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/shoshone/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5175892

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior: The fire is burning through timber, brush and thick, dead and down fuels on steep slopes. A milder day is in store for the fire today, with higher relative humidity, lower temperatures, and average winds being forecasted. Warmer temperatures throughout the remainder of the week could create challenges for potential fire growth.

Important Information: Risk to responders and public safety remain the highest priority for the incident management team. The Clearwater fire has not been the only fire contributing to the smoke in the air. Smoke from fires in Canada as well as Idaho and the Northwest

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