Firefighters working to contain Clearwater Fire

POWELL (WNE) — The Clearwater Fire west of Wapiti had grown to 1,786 acres by Monday morning, but a team of more than 100 firefighting personnel have managed to contain parts of the fire and have improved defenses at nearby buildings such as the UXU Ranch.

According to the Monday update from Wyoming Type 3, Team 4 incident command, the fire, now 7% contained, continues to burn on steep slopes in conifer forest, brush and dead and downed logs.

The incident command said temperatures are forecast to be cooler and relative humidities higher, which may result in less active spread. However, gustier winds and thunderstorm outflow winds could drive more erratic fire behavior and lead it to spread on the south end of the Elk Fork drainage, the team said.

There were no new closures necessitated over the weekend, but three campgrounds remain closed. That includes the Elk Fork Campground, which is closed indefinitely due to the fire having previously advanced almost to the North Fork Highway down the Elk Fork drainage. The Wapiti Campground and Clearwater Campground are closed until fire conditions allow reopening.

According to the Monday release, fire crews completed work on the UXU Ranch, installing sprinklers and reducing fuel sources. Crews will begin installing additional burnout lines around the UXU Ranch and install sprinklers on the bridge to protect the decking.

Engines will patrol the highway corridor for any potential spot fires that could threaten the corridor, with aviation support as needed.

This story was published on August 6, 2024.