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Elk Fire containment at 10% as Wyoming wildfire grows to nearly 73,000 acres

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Elk Fire containment at 10% as Wyoming wildfire grows to nearly 73,000 acres


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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Wyoming

Charming Western town named one of the most affordable places to retire with mountain views and low taxes

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Charming Western town named one of the most affordable places to retire with mountain views and low taxes


Casper, Wyoming, has been named among the most affordable places for Americans to spend their later years.

While Florida may be the preferred retirement destination for seniors who enjoy warm weather and beach escapes, others enjoy snow-capped mountains or fishing trips. 

The charming Western town offers just that – and is a good option for those prioritizing affordability in retirement. 

That is according to WalletHub’s latest ranking of the best places to retire. 

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The study ranked 180 US cities across 45 metrics to determine which were the most friendly to retirees, and where they could plan an affordable retirement while maintaining the best quality of life. 

Casper, Wyoming, has been named among the most affordable places for Americans to spend their later years

WalletHub considered factors including the cost of living, the weather, the quality of healthcare, and the number of museums a city has to offer or nearby places to fish.

Casper landed in ninth place overall, which was the second highest among Western cities on the list. 

It was beaten only by Scottsdale, Arizona, which came in sixth place.

Casper ranked the third best out of all 180 cities for affordability – which took into account factors including the cost of living, tax friendliness, the cost of in-home services, and the cost of adult health care. 

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Wyoming has some of the lowest taxes in the country, and one of the lowest personal tax burdens per capita, which is a benefit for retirees on a fixed income.

The Equality State does not have an individual income tax – which lets seniors keep more of their earnings – and it does not impose an estate tax or an inheritance tax.

Casper has a population of around 59,000, according to the Census Bureau, approximately 16 percent of whom are aged 65 and over.

The cost of living in the Western city is lower than the national average, as is the price of the average home. 

According to Zillow, a typical property in the city costs $290,928 – compared to the national average of $359,892.

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Casper residents also have access to quality healthcare thanks to Banner Wyoming Medical Center, which is the largest hospital in the state.

But Casper’s main draw is its potential for outdoor activities. 

Casper has a population of around 59,000, according to the Census Bureau, approximately 16 percent of whom are aged 65 and over

Casper has a population of around 59,000, according to the Census Bureau, approximately 16 percent of whom are aged 65 and over

Casper ranked the third best out of all 180 cities for affordability - which took into account factors including the cost of living, tax friendliness, the cost of in-home services, and the cost of adult health care

Casper ranked the third best out of all 180 cities for affordability – which took into account factors including the cost of living, tax friendliness, the cost of in-home services, and the cost of adult health care

Wyoming has some of the lowest taxes in the country, and one of the lowest personal tax burdens per capita (Pictured: Wyoming State Capitol)

Wyoming has some of the lowest taxes in the country, and one of the lowest personal tax burdens per capita (Pictured: Wyoming State Capitol)

According to Zillow, a typical property in Casper costs $290,928 - compared to the national average of $359,892

According to Zillow, a typical property in Casper costs $290,928 – compared to the national average of $359,892

The city is dotted with beautiful parks on both banks of the North Platte River and surrounded by stunning landscapes, Travel + Leisure reported. 

Casper Mountain is intersected by over 50 miles worth of trails, which keep residents active, and locals can also enjoy camping and archery. 

Hogadon Ski Area, located a short ride from downtown, is a family-friendly resort with multiple trails and a lodge where skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can practice their favorite winter sports, the outlet said.

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Also in the top ten places to retire, according to WalletHub, are Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg in Florida. 

Cincinnati, Ohio, also made the top ten – alongside Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Much like Casper, Minneapolis is among the coldest cities in the US, with particularly harsh winters. 

But Minneapolis experiences all seasons, and summers in the city are not excessively hot, with temperatures averaging in the mid-80s°F. 

The city’s friendly environment, high-quality hospital system, beautiful surroundings and strong cultural scene meant it landed in third place in the ranking.

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Wyoming Police ask for help looking for missing 71-year-old woman

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Wyoming Police ask for help looking for missing 71-year-old woman


WYOMING, Mich. — A 71-year-old endangered woman is missing in Wyoming.

WPD has asked for help in their search for Marie Decosey, who was last seen near 56th Street SW and Byron Center Avenue in the City of Wyoming on November 3, 2024, at around 5:00 PM.

Officers say Marie suffers from Dementia and walked away from the area in an unknown direction. She has not been heard from or seen since.

Marie is white with gray hair and about 5’4″. She was last seen wearing a navy-blue scrub jacket, pink shirt, black sweatpants, black shoes, glasses, and walks with a cane.

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If Marie is located or seen please contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or 911.

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UW Cowboys prepare for first season in Sundance Wicks era

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UW Cowboys prepare for first season in Sundance Wicks era


LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Cowboys will officially open the Sundance Wicks era on Monday when they host Concordia-St. Paul. The contest is part of a doubleheader with the Cowgirls against Colorado, with game time set for around 7:30 p.m.

Season tickets are currently available for Cowboy Basketball. Fans can order tickets online, by emailing tickets@uwyo.edu, calling 307-766-7220 or visiting the UW Athletics Ticket Office.

Wyoming does not return any starters from last season, but welcomes back four reserves and a walk-on. The Wyoming roster features 10 newcomers for the 2024–25 campaign.

Recently, Wyoming won an exhibition contest against College of Idaho 80–63, shooting 58% from the field and holding its opponents to a 35% clip.

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Wyoming has a pair of 1,000-point scorers in Touko Tainamo and Jordan Nesbitt. Tainamo led the Cowboys in scoring against the College of Idaho with 18 points, while Nesbitt added eight points. Dontaie Allen added four 3-pointers against College of Idaho along with Kobe Newton. Allen finished with 13 points and Newton added 12.

Abou Magassa grabbed nine rebounds for the Brown and Gold against the Coyotes in only 16 minutes of action. All 13 available Cowboys played in the exhibition contest on Oct. 25.

Concordia-St. Paul returns 15 players from last season’s team. Guard Antwan Kimmons was named the Conference Player to Watch. Kimmons appeared in eight games for the Golden Bears last season before being sidelined by an injury. When he played, he averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field and over 41% from beyond the arc.

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