People living along Pass Creek Road 45 mile west of Sheridan were evacuated Monday morning, as were residences west of the intersection of Amsden and Tongue Canyon Roads, in the face of a rapidly advancing wildfire.

Some outbuildings have already been lost to what’s been named the Elk Fire, which is burning a few miles northwest of Dayton, Wyoming, in northern Sheridan County. It’s exploded from 27 acres Friday to an estimated 22,000 acres by early Monday afternoon.

A complex incident management team has been called to take command of the fire, amid shifting wind that has already changed the fire’s direction once and is likely to do so again.

Hot, dry conditions boosted the fire’s activity over the weekend, but what really turned it into a fiery tiger was the wind, which picked up later in the day Saturday. That not only benched aerial firefighting assets, it also pushed the fire through a 1996 burn scar straight toward an abundant source of light, dry fuels.

Firefighters also reported difficulty getting into the area because of the terrain and downed trees.

By Monday, fire crews reported that they were focusing on protecting structures along the face of the Mountain Pass Creek, Smith Creek and Twin Creek areas, while residents west of the intersection of Tongue Canyon and Amsden roads were ordered to evacuate.

Residences east of that intersection are in “set” mode, meaning they should be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice, as are homes in the Horse Shoe Subdivision. The town of Dayton isn’t under an evacuation order, but people there are on alert.

Several road closures in the area have been announced, including Pass Creek, Twin Creek, Smith Creek and Tongue Canyon roads, to allow firefighters to operate safely.

Those needing shelter for livestock or themselves are advised to call Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174.

Dayton Residents Wake Up To Apocalypse

Residents of Dayton, about 3-5 miles from the fire, woke up Monday morning to what some described as an apocalyptic scene.

Billowing smoke blotted out the sky, casting it in all grey for some. Others, such as Karen Parrish Fate, could see a tiny window of stained-glass blue being rapidly overtaken with rolling smoke that appeared to be headed straight for them.

Dayton was not yet in the “set” mode at noon Monday, but its school was closed earlier in the morning out of an abundance of caution.

Some Dayton locals were also already packing up their things, just in case the wind doesn’t change direction and they need to evacuate.

Among these proactive packers was Sherry Tarver, who lives on Tongue River Road.

“We are packing up the important items now,” she told Cowboy State Daily via Facebook messenger. “But our van and truck can only hold so much.”

Tarver reported the road to the canyon closed just past her house, right where the street turns to dirt.

“The houses along the Canyon Road and Amsden are evacuated,” she said. “Please pray for our communities.”

Parkman Home Spared

Mariann Eckendorf shared photos of fire on the horizon over by Big Horn Mountain Alpacas Farm about 9 p.m. Sunday.

“Then the wind switched in the night and headed toward Dayton, which spared my place for now,” she wrote. “I’m thankful for great friends and neighbors ready to help evacuate me and my daughter’s animals out if needed. Praying for all those in its path. Thank you, firefighters.”

Likewise, Anussa D. Britton Slyngstad reported fire about 5 miles from her residence in Parkman, Wyoming, in the former Parkman School.

“The wind changed and it moved to Tongue River Rd. And Amsden Rd.,” she wrote on a Facebook post made in TR Happenings by Cowboy State Daily.

Donations of water, snacks and money to buy food for firefighters and volunteers were being accepted at Parkman Bar and Grill Monday morning.

“We are donating Parkman Food/Chicken Buckets and Snacks/water today,” a post on the Parkman Bar and Grill read.

“Thank God and generosity of our Wyoming neighbors” Jim Pilch Sr. wrote.

Renée Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.