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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.”
Kimbal Loe of Sheridan shares this photo of the Elk Fire taken on the highway between Ranchester an Dayton, Wyoming. (Courtesy Photo)
The Elk Fire is burning out of control about 6 miles northwest of Dayton, Wyoming, in northern Sheridan County, and its pushing south fast. The town and areas around it have been evacuated. (U.S. Forest Service-Bighorn National Forest)
The Elk Fire is burning out of control about 6 miles northwest of Dayton, Wyoming, in northern Sheridan County, and its pushing south fast. The town and areas around it have been evacuated. (U.S. Forest Service-Bighorn National Forest)
The Elk Fire burning just west of Dayton, Wyoming, has exploded from 27 acres Friday to an estimated 22,000 acres Monday. (Courtesy Anussa D. Britton Slyngstad)
The Elk Fire burning just west of Dayton, Wyoming, has exploded from 27 acres Friday to an estimated 22,000 acres Monday. (Courtesy Jeff McInerny)
(Wyoming State Forestry Division)
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.
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“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.
Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails has officially released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional appraisal services to evaluate concession facilities at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming.
These appraisals are mandated by 2026 Senate Enrolled Act 27, Section 335, which requires appraisals of the “capital investment” and “ongoing concern” for the businesses known as the Star Plunge and the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
Qualified professional appraisers are encouraged to review the full requirements. Proposals must be submitted through the State’s Public Purchase online bidding system by 2:00 p.m., May 18, 2026. To view the full RFP (Number 0270-M), please visit https://www.publicpurchase.com/gems/wyominggsd,wy/buyer/public/home.
For additional information, contact Wyoming State Parks’ Visitor Services Manager Stephanie Dillmon at (307) 777-5734 or by email at Stephanie.Dillmon2@wyo.gov or learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov.
When a clinic closes in Wyoming, it doesn’t just close a door; it can cut off access to care for entire communities.
For many residents, getting to a health care provider already means traveling long distances across multiple counties, and local clinics are often the only nearby option for basic health care. With one Title X Family Planning clinic in western Wyoming now closed, the challenge is becoming even more real for many people.
Reproductive and sexual health care is a key part of overall health, but it’s often one of the first services people lose access to when clinics close. Title X Family Planning is a federal program that helps people get essential preventive care, no matter their income. These clinics offer services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI and HIV testing, and care before pregnancy. They help people stay healthy, catch problems early, and plan for their futures.
The need is real. Wyoming’s Title X Family Planning network remains a critical part of the state’s health care system, helping bridge gaps in both access and affordability. With 9 clinics currently serving communities across the state, these providers cared for nearly 12,000 patients through more than 28,000 visits between 2022 and 2025. For many, these clinics are their only source of care: 49% of patients were uninsured, and nearly half were living at or below the federal poverty level.
In a state where distance and cost can both be barriers, affordable care is essential. About 14.6% of Wyoming women ages 19–44 are uninsured, higher than the national average. Title X clinics help meet this need by offering low- or no-cost care, while also connecting patients to referrals and additional health services when needed, ensuring more individuals can get the care they deserve.
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These clinics are also on the front lines of prevention. In recent years, they delivered more than 3,100 cervical cancer screenings and about 20,000 STI and HIV tests. Services like these support early detection and treatment, helping reduce the need for more serious and costly care down the line.
In rural states like Wyoming, once a clinic closes, it is very hard to bring it back. These clinics are more than buildings; they are part of the local health care system that keeps communities healthy.
The good news is that Title X Family Planning clinics are still open, working every day to serve their communities. The Wyoming Health Council supports this network of clinics and works to ensure that people across the state can access the care they need. Through partnerships, education, and community-based programs, the organization helps connect Wyoming residents to reproductive and sexual health services, no matter where they live.
In a state where distance, cost, and provider shortages all play a role, these clinics, and the work supporting them, are more than just a convenience. They are a lifeline.
To help sustain this work and protect access to care across Wyoming, consider making a donation to the Wyoming Health Council.
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Donation Link: givebutter.com/WYTitleX
Required Federal Funding statement: This project is supported by the Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $978,380 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper City Council voted Tuesday to approve on first reading a zoning change for a vacant 2.4-acre parcel located at 1530 SE Wyoming Boulevard, transitioning the property from residential to commercial use.
The ordinance reclassifies Lot 4 of the Methodist Church Addition from Residential Estate to General Business. Located between East 15th and East 18th streets, the irregular-shaped property has remained undeveloped since it was first platted in 1984.
While original plans for the subdivision envisioned a church and an associated preschool, Community Development Director Liz Becher reported those projects never materialized.
According to Becher, the applicant sought the rezoning to facilitate the potential installation of a cell tower or an off-premises sign. Under the new C-2 designation, a cell tower up to 130 feet in height is considered a permitted use by right, though any off-premises sign would still require a conditional use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicant also owns the adjacent lot to the north, which the city rezoned to general business in 2021.
Becher said the change aligns with the “Employment Mixed Use” classification in the Generation Casper comprehensive land use plan. This designation typically supports civic, institutional and employment spaces.
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Despite the new zoning, the property remains subject to a subdivision agreement that limits traffic access. Entry and exit are restricted to right turns onto or from East 15th Street, and no access is permitted from East 18th Street.
The council will vote on two more readings of the ordinance before it is officially ratified.
