Single Publication

Fire Location: 11 miles west of Wapiti, WY
Size: 1,896 acres
Containment: 43%
Personnel: 142
Start Date: 7/19/24
Cause: Lightning
Incident Commander (IC): Ron Steffens, Wyoming Type 3 Team

Operations
Much of yesterday’s work focused in the Elk Fork Campground area, where crews cut burned trees that could be a safety hazard when the campground eventually reopens. Crews also cleared brush and other debris and improved handline south into the Elk Fork drainage. The incident management team continues seeking opportunities to minimize spread on the fire’s southern perimeter.  

Due to heavy fuels in steep, inaccessible terrain, the fire is likely to burn and smolder for some time in conifer forest, brush, and dead and down logs even if cooler temperatures and precipitation prevail.    

Closures
Elk Fork Campground is closed indefinitely; Wapiti Campground and Clearwater Campground are closed until fire conditions allow otherwise. A road and trail closure are in effect at NFS Road #424, Elk Fork Road and NFS Trail # 760, Elk Fork Trail.  Click here to view the closure order (#021404-24-03). For safety reasons, the public is asked to respect closed campgrounds and trails. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect until August 19, 2024. 

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior
Today’s weather shows a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Thunderstorms will create gusty and erratic winds which may create smoke dispersal in the area and winds may affect fire behavior and growth.   

Safety Information
The Shoshone National Forest implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions due to very dry conditions of fuels and continued hot, dry weather. Click here to view a copy of Stage 1 Fire Restrictions order (#02-14-04-24-04).  

A USFS law enforcement officer continues to monitor traffic on Highway 14 to ensure drivers are traveling at a safe speed and watching for fire crews working near or on the roadway. 

Fire activity remains high throughout the western U.S. and Canada, resulting in widespread smoke. Use the Air Now link to check air quality conditions; click here to view an overview map of fire activity. 

Photos
Below are links to several pictures of the Horseshoe Meadow crew working in the Elk Fork Campground on Saturday, August 10. (Note: Due to the size of the files, each picture may take a few seconds to load.)

• A member of the Horseshoe Meadow crews fells a burned tree in the Elk Fork Campground for safety mitigation
   
• A Horseshoe Meadow crew works on felling and moving burned trees in the Elk Fork Campground