Elk Fire Incident Command base takes over Dayton East Road

SHERIDAN — What used to be a pasture rich with alfalfa and barley has now become a wildfire operating base for all those involved with the Elk Fire.

As of Tuesday, the incident command post on Dayton East Road is responsible for housing and feeding over 800 personnel that are part of the Elk Fire suppression efforts. When off shift, firefighters are able to eat, shower, relax, and sleep at the command post.

The operating base has one entrance and one exit only and has established street names for paths that have been made by all foot traffic and vehicles. Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Public Information Officer Kristie Thompson explained how the camp operates.

“This one's Main Street. This is where all of the overhead and all of the command and control of the entire operation are,” Thompson said.

As we walked along “main street,” rows of trailers were on either side. Each trailer had its purpose, whether it was for aviation operations, public information, logistics or information technology.

All command and control on the Elk Fire operates within these 10 trailers, Thompson said.

Sleeping tents and camps for all personnel staying at the base are arranged in a strategic manner.

“There's different tent areas that are set up in different places for the ease of coming and going,” Thompson said. “This one is for what's called overhead. So the folks that are working in these trailers stay here.” Metal T-posts and flagging lined out the different camping sections across the base.

Food, water and all other necessary supplies are provided by a Virtual Incident Procurement, Thompson said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, VIPR is a web-based forest service application designed to administer preseason Incident Blanket Purchase Agreements (formerly referred to as Emergency Equipment Rental Agreements). In other words, the Forest Service has a program that allows vendors to come in and supply firefighting personnel with necessary supplies and food.

Under the VIPR system there are different contracted entities that haul in porta potties, showers and food caterers, Thompson said.

The Elk Fire has blazed through thousands of acres since its initial start, warranting a large command post for firefighting efforts.

“When a complex incident management team is called in, you know that you're going to have a pretty good sized incident command post. A complex incident management team can add or subtract the personnel and resources that it needs as the incident expands and contracts,” Thompson said.

While it's not luxurious, firefighters are treated to two hot meals per day (breakfast and supper), Thompson said.

“On an average day, on a camp like this, from 10 in the morning to about 9:30 at night, (you work) as fast as you can,” Bishop Services K1 cook Matthew Phillips said. “We're here to make sure that these people get fed.”

Bishop Services K1 Manager Chelsea Hallett said their kitchen is capable of feeding 2,500 people.

“We’re expecting to feed 1,100 to 1,200 before this thing is over,” Hallett added.

Nutrition plays a critical role in making sure firefighting personnel are staying healthy and safe. When on an active fire, firefighters are required to consume 4,000 to 6,000 calories per day, Thompson said.

Since no snow or rain is forecast for the near future, personnel numbers are expected to increase over the next few days, Thompson said.

This story was published on October 9, 2024.