Unprecedented conditions continue to fuel the Elk Fire
SHERIDAN — The Elk Fire has burned more than 49,555 acres and has forced many to evacuate their homes since its start last Friday. The fire is still 0% contained as of Thursday morning.
A public meeting was held in the Tongue River Middle School gym in Ranchester on Wednesday. Cars were lined up along the streets and the parking lot was full as residents anxiously awaited the latest information on the Elk Fire.
The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team hosted the meeting that featured numerous speakers. One of those was Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson.
“The conditions that we are experiencing here on this fire are unprecedented. The temperatures we’ve been feeling don't feel like October. The dryness we have doesn’t feel like October, ” Johnson said.
Winds and low relative humidity have caused the Elk Fire to burn up much of the Bighorn Mountain range, Johnson said.
“From when this fire started on Friday, it has been a hard fight, and it has been resistant to control despite a lot of intense effort from the air and on the ground,” he said.
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Operations Section Chief Bryan Cresto discussed what he has seen on the fire since he arrived Tuesday night.
“Pretty crazy night last night (Tuesday). This is 30 years for me in fire, and this is the latest, most active fire I’ve ever seen,” Cresto said.
He discussed how teams are organized during fires like this one.
“Today’s operations, we really wake up and organize the crews. Different crews from all over the United States are coming out here to put this fire out,” Cresto added. “We have to put those guys in places that they’re going to be best fit for.”
Cresto said they divide teams into engines, hand crews and aviation.
The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team arrived on scene around 7 p.m. Tuesday night and immediately went to work, he said.
Tuesday night winds fueled the Elk Fire and caused it to run east in the Parkman and Pass Creek areas.
“At the end of the day, we can’t control the weather. We can’t control the wind and sometimes we gotta back up, take a deep breath and get people out of the way,” Cresto said. “We’re not in the business of getting people hurt.”
He did not sugarcoat things for people in attendance.
“I’m not going to pull any punches on this or tell you a fib. We’re gonna work our butts off, and we’re gonna do it safely. I think this fire is going to be here for a little bit,” Cresto said.
Due to the Elk Fire, more closures and restrictions have been added.
According to the Bighorn National Forest Service, the closure covers the northern portion of the Tongue Ranger District south to Red Grade Road, 26. Red Grade remains open at this time.
Due to two additional fires, on October 2, 2024, Johnson put Stage 2 fire restrictions in place. The restrictions are in effect for the whole forest. Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the ignition of any fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, unless the device is solely fueled by liquid gas that can be turned on and off.
This story was published on October 3, 2024.