DAYTON, Wyo. – Fire crews have established containment on 10% of the Elk Fire burning in the Bighorn National Forest even as the wildfire reportedly grew to nearly 73,000 acres.
In an update Monday morning, fire officials said the wildfire has been mapped at 72,998 acres. A total of 680 personnel are currently assigned to fight the fire, which was first reported on Sept. 27.
Two homes have been lost to the flames, and evacuation orders remain in place for many areas affected by the fire.
Also on Monday the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office announced some cabin owners in the area of Red Grade Road would be allowed into the closed area to retrieve items.
Here is the full Monday update:
Key Messages: The fire is now 10% contained. The added containment is along the northeast edge of the fire, to the north of Dayton. Efforts on the southern end of the fire are focused on taking actions to get ahead of fire movement and protect communities, as well as municipal watersheds in the Big Goose drainage, that are potentially threatened by the fire. Crews will be working using a variety of tools, such as structure protection and fireline construction, to prepare for future potential fire movement.
Current Situation: Smoke is settling over the Elk Fire area from fires further to the west. This is expected to continue and is likely to keep fire activity lower today. This smoke may also impact air operations as helicopters need a minimum of one mile visibility to operate safely on wildland fires.
Structure protection work will continue northwest of the fire in Little Horn Canyon and subdivisions along US HWY 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction. They will be patrolling and mopping up any heat sources around structures. Structure protection is accomplished through a variety of methods such as removal of vegetation near structures, construction of fireline, and placement of hose and sprinklers where possible. On the eastern side of the fire, firefighters will continue to extinguish areas of heat along established firelines. Crews will also continue to patrol the area that is now contained.
South of the fire, crews are implementing strategies intended to protect homes, communities, the Sheridan watershed, and key infrastructure. The work includes developing new fireline on Red Grade Road near Bighorn, using heavy equipment and several fire crews. Structure protection tactics have been utilized to prepare the Big Goose Water Treatment facility for any fire that may move into the area. Efforts continue to minimize fire effects to the Big Goose Creek watershed, which feeds the water treatment facility.
Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. The tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain, fire and weather conditions, and medical response time with a focus on implementing plans and tactics that have a high probability of success.
Approximately 700 cattle were transported off the fire area this morning. This was possible through the collaborative efforts of this community and agencies supporting the fire.
Closures and Evacuations: The newest evacuation map can be found at the Sheridan County Emergency Management website, Sheridan County (sheridancountywy.gov). US Highway 14 remains closed from Dayton to Burgess Junction. See todays new release regarding temporary access to Red Grade Road for cabin owners. Please contact the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 for more information on evacuations and road closures.
The Bighorn National Forest Closure has been expanded to include the closure of Red Grade Road. Please view the updated order on the Bighorn National Forest website, Bighorn National Forest – Alerts & Closures (usda.gov).
Weather & Smoke Information: Today will continue to bring warm and dry conditions to the fire area as a high pressure system moves into the area. Winds are expected to be light and terrain-driven over the course of the day. Smoke from fires further to the west may cause smoke shading and keep temperatures lower than the forecasted highs ranging in the mid 60s to low 70s.
It is anticipated that the Elk Fire will continue to put up a smoke column; please go to the AirNow website (https://www.airnow.gov/) for smoke information.
RELATE Q2 COVERAGE
Smoke settles into Sheridan County as Elk Fire continues to grow
2 homes destroyed in Elk fire in northern Wyoming
Dayton residents prepare for evacuation as Elk fire grows
Fire crews on Elk Fire in Wyoming brace for strong winds
‘Families in crisis’: Dayton remains on edge as Elk Fire burns in Wyoming
Elk Fire in Wyoming reported at nearly 50,000 acres
New evacuations ordered at Elk Fire in Wyoming
Elk Fire at 32,000 acres, Dayton, Wyoming residents remain cautious
Elk Fire in Wyoming estimated at more than 25,000 acres
‘Here to help’: Parkman Bar and Grill gathers donations to help those fighting Elk Fire
Elk Fire in Wyoming grows, evacuations ordered
New wildfire reported west of Ranchester in northern Wyoming
It was a tragic day that many in Sheridan, Wyoming, won’t soon forget—and that certainly includes Caro Hamilton.
“It was very frightening and there were a lot of people that were affected,” Hamilton says.
On Feb. 13, 2024,Sheridan police officer Nevada Krinkee was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving a trespassing notice, a shocking crime that left Sheridan heartbroken.
The man who killed Krinkee, William Lowery, found his way to Hamilton’s home, where a 30-hour standoff ensued.
For Hamilton, the ordeal began with a phone call from her daughter.
“She said that there were police surrounding my house and that they told her to tell me not to come home and I went to ask her what was going on and the phone went dead,” she recalls.
MTN News
She had no idea that a police officer had been shot nearby and no idea that the suspect was in her basement, but she knew one thing.
“We were freaking out. We knew that my mom was in the house.”
Her 80- year-old mother was upstairs in the house. Hamilton says it took two frantic calls to police before they finally called for her mother to come out—something that still frustrates her.
“And so finally we did get my mother out, but yes, we were very terrified because obviously this guy wasn’t in his right mind at the time after what had happened and we didn’t know what could happen to her,” Hamilton says.
By then, she was learning more about why police had surrounded the home and were keeping her, and everyone else, two blocks away.
She says didn’t know Lowery personally but says that he was an acquaintance of a man who was boarding in her basement and that the boarder was supposed to help Lowery move that day.
While her mother was out safely, she had other worries about other occupants inside.
“I was concerned about my dogs and really wanted to get them out of there,” she says.
Police used water, tear gas, and finally brought the standoff to an end when they used an excavator to tear down part of the house. Lowery was shot and killed by police after he fired at them while attempting to flee.
And while her home was left in ruins, there was one bright spot.
“The little dog was found under rubble where the living room used to be. And then my big dog, she was in the basement. They found her, she kind of wading in the water and it was kind of freezing around her. But they got him out and that was the best thing. So I was really super grateful for that,” she says.
Her cat, who was also in the house, has not been found.
Caro says she is thankful for the new house that been built in place of her old one thanks to insurance and a settlement with the city. She hopes to move in next month.
MTN News
And while the tragic ordeal is something she and many others in Sheridan will probably never forget, she also says she will forever remember the support many in the community.
“It was overwhelming. It was amazing the amount of community support that was shown to me,” she says.
Surveillance footage shows an unidentified suspect carrying two chainsaws out of Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply on East Lincolnway in Cheyenne. Police are seeking information regarding the theft. (Courtesy Cheyenne Police Department)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Cheyenne police are seeking information about a theft at Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply on East Lincolnway.
According to police, surveillance footage shows an unidentified individual entering the store, taking two chainsaws and leaving without paying. Authorities believe the suspect may be traveling in a blue sedan.
Anyone with information leading to the suspect’s location and arrest or other crimes is encouraged to visit www.silentwitnesslaramiecounty.com.
Back
The 2024-25 Wyoming High School girls’ basketball season continues with its second week. While tournaments comprise most of the slate this week, there are some single games. The tournaments are in Ethete, Green River, Lander, Lingle, Pavillion, Rock Springs, Shoshoni, Sundance, and Yoder. A few schools will be playing out of state, as well. If you see a game missing, please email david@wyopreps.com.
Here is the Week 2 schedule of varsity games WyoPreps has. All schedules are subject to change.
NON-VARSITY OPPONENT
Wheatland Sophs at 1A H.E.M. – postponed
CLASS 1A
Final Score: Lusk 58 Guernsey-Sunrise 19
INTERCLASS
Final Score: 2A Rocky Mountain 54 1A #4 Burlington 41
OUT-OF-STATE OPPONENT
Final Score: 3A Torrington 62 Alliance, NE 22
Final Score: Bridgeport, NE 57 2A #4 Pine Bluffs 41
Final Score: 1A Encampment 40 North Park (Walden, CO) 18
NON-VARSITY OPPONENT
Final Score: 1A H.E.M. 45 Wheatland Sophs 29
CLASS 4A
Final Score: #2 Sheridan 49 Kelly Walsh 26
Final Score: Natrona County 49 Thunder Basin 45
INTERCLASS
Final Score: 3A #5 Buffalo 70 2A Big Horn 27
OUT-OF-STATE OPPONENT
Final Score: Rich County (UT) 58 1A #4 Cokeville 39
NON-VARSITY OPPONENT
Final Score: 1A Arvada-Clearmont 49 Thunder Basin Fresh 9
Flaming Gorge Classic in Green River & Rock Springs
1A St. Stephens at 4A Green River – canceled – no game!
Final Score: 2A Kemmerer 41 3A Glenrock 32
Final Score: Bear Lake, ID 60 4A Evanston 34
Final Score: 3A #5 Mountain View 53 4A Riverton 21
Final Score: 4A Green River 56 3A Rawlins 22
Final Score: #5 Laramie 44 Star Valley 40
Final Score: 3A #3 Pinedale 70 4A Rock Springs 27
Foothills Classic in Ethete & Pavillion
Final Score: #1 Wyoming Indian 63 Moorcroft 18
Final Score: #2 Tongue River 64 Wind River 34
Stateline Shootout in Sundance
Final Score: 2A #5 Sundance 55 3A Newcastle 48
Wrangler Invite in Shoshoni
Final Score: 1A Saratoga 38 2A Shoshoni 20
Final Score: 3A Lyman 48 1A #3 Burlington 38
High School Winter Showcase in Windsor, CO
Final Score: 2A #3 Pine Bluffs 56 Prospect Ridge Academy (CO) 10
Final Score: Timnath, CO 55 4A Cheyenne South 22
Winter Border Brawl in Scottsbluff, NE
Final Score: 4A #1 Cheyenne East 45 Scottsbluff, NE 17
Final Score: Gering, NE 54 3A Torrington 44
Final Score: 4A #3 Cheyenne Central 52 Sidney, NE 45
CLASS 4A
#2 Sheridan at Natrona County, 5 p.m.
Thunder Basin at Kelly Walsh, 5:30 p.m.
Flaming Gorge Classic in Green River & Rock Springs
2A Kemmerer at 4A Green River, 9:40 a.m.
2A Thermopolis vs. 4A #5 Laramie, 9:40 a.m. (at RSHS)
3A #5 Mountain View vs. Bear Lake, ID, 1 p.m. (at GRHS)
4A Riverton vs. 3A Glenrock, 1 p.m. (at RSHS)
3A Rawlins vs. 4A Star Valley, 2:40 p.m. (at Lincoln MS)
3A #3 Pinedale at 4A Green River, 4:20 p.m.
2A Thermopolis vs. 3A Evanston, 4:20 p.m. (at Lincoln MS)
#5 Laramie at Rock Springs, 4:20 p.m.
Foothills Classic in Ethete & Pavillion
#2 Tongue River at #1 Wyoming Indian, 9 a.m.
Moorcroft at Wind River, 9 a.m.
#2 Tongue River vs. Big Piney, noon (at Ethete)
Greybull vs. Moorcroft, noon (at Pavillion)
Big Horn vs. Big Piney, 3 p.m. (at Ethete)
Wright vs. Greybull, 3 p.m. (at Pavillion)
Big Horn at #1 Wyoming Indian, 6 p.m.
Wright at Wind River, 7:30 p.m.
Goshen County Basketball Classic in Lingle & Yoder
H.E.M. at #5 Lingle-Ft. Laramie, 11:30 a.m. (LFL HS)
Lusk vs. Kaycee, 11:30 a.m. (LFL MS Gym)
Encampment at #1 Southeast, 11:45 a.m. (SE Elementary)
Guernsey-Sunrise vs. Rock River, 11:45 a.m. (SE HS)
Rock River at #1 Southeast, 3:30 p.m. (SE Elementary)
Encampment vs. Guernsey-Sunrise, 3:30 p.m. (SE HS)
Kaycee at #5 Lingle-Ft. Laramie, 4 p.m. (LFL HS)
Lusk vs. H.E.M., 4 p.m. (LFL MS Gym)
Lander Girls Classic – varsity games in the Fieldhouse
#4 Powell vs. Wheatland, 11 a.m.
#2 Cody vs. Burns, 12:30 p.m.
Lovell vs. #1 Douglas, 2 p.m.
#2 Cody vs. Wheatland, 3:30 p.m.
#4 Powell vs. Burns, 5 p.m.
#1 Douglas at Lander, 6:30 p.m.
Stateline Shootout in Sundance
3A Newcastle vs. Lead/Deadwood, SD, 1 p.m.
Belle Fourche, SD at 2A #5 Sundance, 4 p.m.
Wrangler Invite in Shoshoni
Saratoga vs. Riverside, 9 a.m. (Main gym)
#3 Burlington vs. Farson-Eden, 9 a.m. (Aux gym)
2A #3 Rocky Mountain vs. 3A Lyman noon (Main)
Meeteetse vs. Saratoga, noon (Aux)
#4 Cokeville vs. #3 Burlington, 3 p.m. (Main)
3A Lyman vs. 1A #2 Upton, 3 p.m. (Aux)
1A Meeteetse at 2A Shoshoni, 6 p.m. (Main)
Little Snake River vs. Dubois, 6 p.m. (Aux)
High School Winter Showcase in Windsor, CO
4A Cheyenne South vs. Prospect Ridge Academy (CO), 5 p.m.
2A #3 Pine Bluffs at Timnath, CO, 8 p.m.
Winter Border Brawl in Scottsbluff, NE
4A #3 Cheyenne Central vs. Kearney, NE, 3:15 p.m.
3A Torrington at Sidney, NE, 3:30 p.m.
4A #1 Cheyenne East vs. St. Thomas More (SD), 6:45 p.m.
OUT-OF-STATE-OPPONENTS
Teton (ID) at 4A Jackson, 1 p.m.
Flaming Gorge Classic in Green River & Rock Springs
3A Glenrock vs. 4A Evanston, 9 a.m. (at GRHS)
#5 Laramie vs. Riverton, 10:40 a.m. (at GRHS)
Kemmerer vs. Thermopolis, 10:40 a.m. (at Lincoln MS)
3A #5 Mountain View at 4A Green River, 2 p.m.
4A Evanston vs. 3A Rawlins, 2 p.m. (at Lincoln MS)
Bear Lake, ID at Rock Springs, 2 p.m.
3A #3 Pinedale vs. 4A Star Valley, 3:40 p.m. (at Lincoln MS)
Foothills Classic in Ethete & Pavillion
Moorcroft vs. Big Piney, 8 a.m. (at Ethete)
#2 Tongue River vs. Greybull, 8 a.m. (at Pavillion)
Wright vs. Big Piney, 11 a.m. (at Ethete)
Big Horn at Wind River, 11 a.m.
Wright at #1 Wyoming Indian, 2 p.m.
Goshen County Basketball Classic in Lingle & Yoder
Encampment at #5 Lingle-Ft. Laramie, 9:15 a.m. (LFL HS)
Lusk vs. Rock River, 9:15 a.m. (LFL MS Gym)
H.E.M. at #1 Southeast, 10 a.m. (SE Elementary)
Guernsey-Sunrise vs. Kaycee, 10 a.m. (SE HS)
Rock River at #5 Lingle-Ft. Laramie, 1 p.m. (LFL HS)
Lusk vs. Encampment, 1 p.m. (LFL MS Gym)
Kaycee at #1 Southeast, 2:30 p.m. (SE Elem.)
Guernsey-Sunrise vs. H.E.M., 2:30 p.m. (SE HS)
Lander Girls Classic – all varsity games in the Fieldhouse
Lovell vs. Wheatland, 8:30 a.m.
Burns at Lander, 10 a.m.
#2 Cody vs. #1 Douglas, 11:30 a.m.
Lovell vs. Burns, 1 p.m.
#4 Powell vs. #1 Douglas, 2:30 p.m.
Wheatland at Lander, 4 p.m.
Stateline Shootout in Sundance
3A Newcastle vs. Belle Fourche, SD, 11 a.m.
Lead/Deadwood, SD at 2A #5 Sundance, 2 p.m.
Wrangler Invite in Shoshoni
#2 Upton vs. #4 Cokeville, 8:30 a.m. (Main)
Meeteetse vs. Little Snake River, 8:30 a.m. (Aux)
Riverside vs. Farson-Eden, 11:30 a.m. (Main)
1A Dubois vs. 2A #3 Rocky Mountain, 11:30 a.m. (Aux)
Little Snake River vs. #2 Upton, 2:30 p.m. (Main)
2A #3 Rocky Mountain vs. 1A #4 Cokeville, 2:30 p.m. (Aux)
1A Riverside at 2A Shoshoni, 5:30 p.m. (Main)
Farson-Eden vs. Dubois, 5:30 p.m. (Aux)
High School Winter Showcase in Windsor, CO
2A #3 Pine Bluffs vs. 4A Cheyenne South, 9 a.m. (at Timnath HS)
Winter Border Brawl in Scottsbluff, NE
4A #1 Cheyenne East at Sidney, NE, 1 p.m.
4A #3 Cheyenne Central vs. St. Thomas More (SD), 1:30 p.m. (at Gering HS)
Coal Miners Classic Basketball Tournament-Glenrock
Gallery Credit: Herder Pride, Margaret Friday, Grizz In Action
Canadian premier threatens to cut off energy imports to US if Trump imposes tariff on country
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25782636/247422_ChatGPT_anniversary_CVirginia.jpg "Inside the launch — and future — of ChatGPT")
Inside the launch — and future — of ChatGPT
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25789444/1258459915.jpg "OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change")
OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change
U.S. Supreme Court will decide if oil industry may sue to block California's zero-emissions goal
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25546252/STK169_Mark_Zuckerburg_CVIRGINIA_D.jpg "Meta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit")
Meta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit
Conservative group debuts major ad buy in key senators' states as 'soft appeal' for Hegseth, Gabbard, Patel
Freddie Freeman's World Series walk-off grand slam baseball sells at auction for $1.56 million
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23951353/STK043_VRG_Illo_N_Barclay_3_Meta.jpg "Meta’s Instagram boss: who posted something matters more in the AI age")
Meta’s Instagram boss: who posted something matters more in the AI age
