Firefighters battle challenging terrain
CODY — The Clearwater Fire, ignited by lightning on July 19, grew to over 1,047 acres earlier this week and remains a formidable challenge for firefighters. Located 11 miles west of Wapiti, the fire is burning through rugged terrain, making suppression efforts particularly difficult.
Currently, 104 firefighting personnel are engaged in battling the fire. The difficult terrain of the Elk Fork drainage has necessitated a multifaceted approach, including aerial assessments, water drops by a Type 1 helicopter and ground operations.
“The location of the fire is very difficult terrain,” said Kim Hemenway, public information officer for the Wyoming Type III Team No. 3. “It makes suppression efforts challenging.”
One of the key strategies has been to protect critical values at risk, such as structures at the Bill Cody Ranch where significant fuel reduction has occurred.
Crews have also been working on structure protection and fuel reduction in the Moss and Aspen creek areas. Pumps were run in the Pagoda Creek cabins to raise humidity and wet fuels.
Weather conditions have played a significant role in the fire’s behavior.
While recent higher relative humidity and lower temperatures have provided some relief, warmer temperatures forecasted for the remainder of the week could create challenges for potential fire growth. Prevailing winds caused the fire to spread nearly 900 acres and almost sent flames across the North Fork Highway on Monday evening. The firefighters prevented the fire from crossing the highway.
The Forest Service has closed several campgrounds and trails to ensure public safety and provide better access for firefighting resources. These include the Elk Fork, Wapiti and Big Game campgrounds, Wapiti Ranger Station, and cabins along Pagoda Creek. Also closed are the Elk Fork Trail and road.
Public safety remains the highest priority for the incident management team.
“Safety is our number one concern,” Hemenway said.
The community has been urged to stay out of closed areas and to be vigilant about possible ignition sources. Residents are reminded to “drown, stir, feel for heat, and repeat” when dousing campfires to prevent further fires.
The Clearwater Fire is one of many contributing to the smoky conditions in the area.
Wildfires in Canada, Idaho and the Northwest have also brought smoke to local skies. Nationwide, 95 large active wildfires are being managed with full suppression strategies, burning a total of 2,180,105 acres. Nearly 28,000 wildland firefighters and support personnel are currently assigned to these fires, highlighting the scale and intensity of this wildfire season.
On Monday night Wyoming Highway Patrol temporarily closed the road from the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park to near Wapiti.
As firefighting efforts continue, the community’s cooperation remains crucial.
The public needs to “have patience,” urged Hemenway.
This story was published on July 31, 2024.
