CASPER, Wyo. — Monday evening brought a small reprieve for firefighters on the Elk Fire in Sheridan County, which started in the Bighorn National Forest about 6 miles northwest of Dayton only last Friday and made an 8-mile run to the south under high winds on Sunday.
The fire was mapped on Monday evening at 25,085 acres, according to the latest update from incident management. Lightning is believed to be the cause.
No evacuation orders have been issued for the town of Dayton, though Tongue River High School is called off today due to fire concerns. Any updates are expected to be shared by the Sheridan County Government Facebook page. All of the Horseshoe subdivision west of Dayton was ordered to evacuate as of 3 p.m. Monday.
Evacuations were previously issued along Pass Creek and Sheridan County Road 144, where some outbuilding structures were likely lost to the fire, according to Monday’s update. Sheridan County has closed Pass Creek Road, Twin Creek Road, Smith Creek Road and Tongue River Canyon Road to non-resident travel.
Incident managers have identified national forest lands and property, including two cow camps and a radio repeater site, as assets at risk. A Bighorn National Forest Closure Order is in place. The area closed is north of US Highway 14 and east of the border of the Medicine Wheel Ranger District and the Tongue Ranger District.
On Monday, firefighters focused on digging out vegetation and using controlled burns to remove fuels between the fire and structures at risk. Air resources were used to assist ground operations and ensure for firefighter safety. That work is expected to continue on Tuesday.
An air quality alert has been extended through at least Tuesday evening due to the active Elk Fire and Pack Trail Fire in the Wind River Range. Areas impacted include Casper, Riverton, Lander Buffalo, Jackson, Big Piney and Pinedale. Those who are sensitive to smoke should stay indoors if possible, the National Weather Service said. Real-time air quality information can be found here.
