Wyoming

Dayton residents prepare for evacuation as Elk fire grows

Published

1 year ago

October 6, 2024

Dayton residents prepare for evacuation as Elk fire grows

DAYTON, Wyo. — The Elk fire in northern Wyoming continues to burn across the Bighorn mountains. Early Saturday morning, residents in Dayton were asked to be ready to evacuate at any moment, as the winds are pushing the fire southwest.

With winds over 60 mph, at about 1 am Saturday morning, the Elk fire reached over 62,00 acres. Residents in Dayton have moved from a “Ready” evacuation status, to a “Set” evacuation status, meaning they need to be ready to evacuate.

Mack Carmack, MTN News

Elk Fire, Dayton Wyo., 100524

“This one… It just got big so quick… and the winds are not in our favor, by any means,” says Rhianna Miller, a mother and Dayton resident.

Miller says she used to live in Florida, and would often experience hurricanes, but says this wildfire takes the cake for natural disasters she’s experienced.

“It’s one thing to prepare for a hurricane, ‘cuz you know it’s coming. But, this hands down has to be the most terrifying,” Miller said.

The reason the Elk fire has been so destructive, according to Sheridan County officials, is because of the high winds and timber in the Bighorn mountains. Where most wildfires burn grass, the Elk fire is burning trees.

“So (grass fires) can be very fast moving, but if… the wind slows down, they’ll slow down, and we can get ahead and really cut that off. Well, when it’s in a different sort of fuel type, like very heavy timber, it’s going to take a lot longer for that fuel type to be consumed,” said Kristie Thompson, the Public Information Officer for the Elk fire.

What may be most unfortunate for residents is the fact that, because of these high winds and timber, Elk could burn for weeks.

“So, as long as it’s held at bay, and doesn’t come closer to town, I would like to go home,” said Miller.

Many Wyoming residents are hoping to go home, as many areas have already evacuated, including: South Highway 14, west of Beckon Road, and Eaton Ranch Road. In Montana, some Bighorn County residents are preparing for evacuation, as well.

“(These fires) are very dynamic, very fluid. We’re constantly looking at that with the Incident Management Team, the operations, and coming up with a plan. That’s our primary goal, to make sure that the public is safe, the firefighters are safe. So when we’re seeing the fire move, and the activity change, we are constantly looking at that, and determining where we need to set evacuation notices,” said Levi Dominguez, the Sheridan County Sheriff.

As of Saturday afternoon, the fire is zero percent contained, many evacuations are in order, and heavy winds continue to spread across the region. Because of that, there is no way of knowing when Elk fire is to end.

“Until the snow comes, we will likely be seeing smoke,” says Thompson.

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Related Topics:Dayton evacuation Featured fire Montana Natural disaster news severe weather wildfire wyoming

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Wyoming

Wyoming lawmakers advance bills in attempt to limit gambling

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12 hours ago

November 21, 2025

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Wyoming lawmakers advance bills in attempt to limit gambling

CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council voted this week to advance a package of gambling-related bills aimed at tightening regulatory control and making money laundering a felony in the state. The group of legislative leaders also rejected a contentious proposal placing a statutory cap on Historic Horse Racing (HHR) terminals. The five bill drafts, originally developed by the …

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Wyoming

New job postings for Wyoming job seekers

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1 day ago

November 20, 2025

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New job postings for Wyoming job seekers

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Wyoming

Domestic Sheep/Bighorn Sheep Interaction Working Group Meeting Announced

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2025

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CHEYENNE — The Domestic Sheep/Bighorn Sheep Interaction Working Group will meet at 10 a.m., Nov. 25, in Lander at the Inn at Lander Warbonnet Room, 260 Grandview Drive. The event is hosted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Livestock Board and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.

Virtual options for the public to attend the workshop will be available via Zoom. For a link to the Zoom meeting as well as login information, contact amanda.fry@wyo.gov.

The tentative agenda will include the following topics:

Wildfire restoration in Wyoming — Bob Budd, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust.
Seminoe/Ferris Bighorn Sheep seasonal range updates — Daryl Lutz, Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Pedro Mountains management — Lee Knox, Wyoming Game and Fish Department..
Wyoming Plan — Working Group discussion
Federal Legislation updates — Working Group discussion.
West Central States Woolgrowers Convention overview — Alison Crane, Wyoming Woolgrowers Association.
Bighorn sheep/domestic sheep interaction, ongoing research in Montana — Jared Beaver, Montana State University.

More information on the Domestic Sheep/Bighorn Sheep Interaction Working Group’s past meetings and research recommendations can be found on the Game and Fish Bighorn Sheep information page.

The State of Wyoming supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Anyone needing auxiliary aids should contact the Game and Fish at (307) 777-4501. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations.

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