Single Publication

Fire Location: 11 miles west of Wapiti, WY
Size: 1,896 acres
Containment: 62%
Personnel: 80
Start Date: 7/19/24
Cause: Lightning
Incident Commander (IC): Ron Steffens, Wyoming Type 3 Team

Operations
Cooler temperatures and some light rain within the fire area have allowed for containment to increase to 62%. Yesterday, fire crews continued cleaning up brush and downed trees in the Elk Fork Campground and patrolled fire lines.

Today, crews will watch the highway and river corridor for any fire movement closer to the perimeter. The fire is likely to burn and smolder for some time in heavy fuels and steeper terrain. Expected rain may decrease activity in the fire’s interior over the next few days, but the potential for fire spread will return as conditions change. Firefighters will monitor the effects of the current short-term weather pattern while preparing for critical fire weather conditions that much of the region is experiencing. Fire managers will base their actions on a number of factors including public and firefighter safety, complexity, fire behavior, and weather.

Closures
Elk Fork Campground is closed indefinitely for the season; Wapiti Campground and Clearwater Campground remain 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 forecast calls for a chance of rain showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. This could produce gusty and erratic winds which could 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).