Wyoming
Elk Fire update (as of 7:30 a.m. Oct. 5)
Fire activity caused night operations crews to pull out of structure protection work. Once it is safe, these crews will reengage, according to Bighorn National Forest officials.
The forecasted cold front has passed over the area and winds will start to moderate as we move to daybreak and throughout the day. Winds will continue to be out of the northwest and start to decrease from 15-30 mph Saturday morning to 15-25 mph into the evening. Relative humidity will remain in low 20 percentiles.
Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office issued additional evacuation notices at 3 and 6 a.m. Saturday.
Law enforcement will work to contact people in the new evacuation area. If the town of Dayton is asked to evacuate, a new alert will be sent, and the town siren will be activated. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
Residents are urged to stay informed by following official county and forest service communication channels and be prepared for any additional changes.
The Sheridan Press will also continue to provide comprehensive updates, compiling information from all government sources.
Areas that are now in “Go” or “Set” will see law enforcement presence and will be contacted by law enforcement. Areas in “Go” must evacuate immediately
GO
(meaning evacuate immediately)
• Eatons’ Ranch
• Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman
• Tongue River Canyon west of Dayton, where the pavement turns to dirt
• Little Bighorn Canyon and Little Horn Road
• Areas north of Eaton Ranch Road
• South of Highway 14
• West of Beckton Road from Dayton, continuing south to the intersection of Beckton Road to Eatons’ Ranch Road
• Eagle Ridge Subdivision and homes directly east of U.S. Highway 14, heading up the mountain
SET
(Meaning prepare to evacuate, ensuring essential items are packed, evacuation routes are identified and you are ready to leave if the situation escalates)
• West of Rapid Creek Road
• South of Twin Creek Road from Parkman, north of Amsden Road, and west of Wyoming Highway 343. This includes residences along Smith Creek Road and Columbus Creek Road.
• Town of Dayton
READY
(Meaning be prepared to evacuate if necessary)
• The area west of Bear Gulch Trail to Big Horn Road to Beaver Creek Road to Owl Creek Road and then directly north to Soldier Creek Road and then west to Beckton Road.
• South of Montana state line to Wyoming Highway 343, east to Interstate 90, and east to Barker Road. This includes residences in the Parkman Hills Subdivision and residences along the west side of Barker Road.
All road closures (with local and emergency personnel access only, unless otherwise noted)
• Beckton Hall Road at the intersection with Big Goose Road
• Big Horn Road at intersection of Beaver Creek Road
• Big Goose is closed at the intersection with Beckton Road
• Highway 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction (hard closure, no access)
• Pass Creek Road: County Road 144 from the intersection of Highway 345 and Pass Creek Road)
• Twin Creek Road (access off of Railway Avenue in Parkman)
• Smith Creek Road (intersection of Highway 343 and Smith Creek Road)
• Tongue Canyon Road (at the River Road)
• Beckton Road from Dayton to Big Goose is now closed including access from Soldier Creek Road to all except local residents.
• Little Horn Road south of Montana state line.
For past updates, click through additional pages.
Areas that are now in “Go” or “Set” will see law enforcement presence and will be contacted by law enforcement.
Go (meaning you will be evacuated from your residence)
• Eatons’ Ranch
• Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman
• Tongue River Canyon west of Dayton, where the pavement turns to dirt
• Little Bighorn Canyon and Little Horn Road
Set (meaning start the pre-evacuation process by organizing a plan and packing items)
• West of Beckton Road from Dayton, continuing south to the intersection of Beckton Road and Big Goose Road. This also includes the area west of Rapid Creek Road.
• South of Twin Creek Road from Parkman, north of Amsden Road, and west of Wyoming Highway 343. This includes residences along Smith Creek Road and Columbus Creek Road.
Ready (meaning be prepared to evacuate if necessary)
• The area west of Bear Gulch Trail to Big Horn Road to Beaver Creek Road to Owl Creek Road and then directly north to Soldier Creek Road and then west to Beckton Road.
• South of Montana state line to Wyoming Highway 343, east to Interstate 90, and east to Barker Road. This includes residences in the Parkman Hills Subdivision and residences along the west side of Barker Road.
All road closures (with local and emergency personnel access only, unless otherwise noted)
• Beckton Hall Road at the intersection with Big Goose Road
• Big Horn Road at intersection of Beaver Creek Road
• Big Goose is closed at the intersection with Beckton Road
• Highway 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction (hard closure, no access)
• Pass Creek Road: County Road 144 from the intersection of Highway 345 and Pass Creek Road)
• Twin Creek Road (access off of Railway Avenue in Parkman)
• Smith Creek Road (intersection of Highway 343 and Smith Creek Road)
• Tongue Canyon Road (at the River Road)
• Beckton Road from Dayton to Big Goose is now closed including access from Soldier Creek Road to all except local residents.
•Little Horn Road south of Montana state line.
Friday evening fire activity update (10 p.m. Oct. 4)
The fire was measured at 55,618 acres at 6:15 p.m. The wind speed has increased at Burgess Junction; the night operations fire crews are continuing structure protection work.
There will be another community meeting at the Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
Munsick begins fire relief fund
Ian Munsick — Sheridan native and popular country artist — started a GoFundMe fundraiser to benefit northern Wyoming fire departments.
Donations made to the Elk Fire Relief Fund will be funneled back to the following fire departments and local agencies to provide support needed to combat the fires and prevent further widespread damage.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs – Division of Wildland Fire Management
- Big Horn Fire Department
- Clearmont Fire District
- County Emergency Management
- Dayton Fire Department
- Goose Valley Fire Department
- Ranchester Fire Department
- Sheridan County Emergency Management
- Sheridan Fire Department
- Sheridan Area Rural Fire District
- Story Volunteer Fire Department
“Rural Wyoming relies heavily on volunteer firefighters, and right now their resources are being spread thin,” Munsick said in his GoFundMe description.
Gov. Gordon provides state support for Elk Fire
CHEYENNE — Driven by high winds, the Elk Fire in Sheridan County has burned more than 32,000 acres as of Oct. 2 and continues to threaten the communities of Parkman and Dayton. The lightning-caused fire is being managed by the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3, with approximately 200 personnel currently assigned to the fire. U.S. 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction will remain closed indefinitely, as the fire has crossed the highway at mile marker 76.
Gov. Mark Gordon has authorized the deployment of the Wyoming National Guard to support the Elk Fire with on-site medevac resources for firefighter safety and use, if necessary.
Gordon is responding to the wildfires by directing all available state fire resources to be utilized for active fires and new starts. These include Wyoming State Forestry helicopter and helitack firefighters, two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), and Wyoming Smokebusters. Much of Wyoming is under Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watch conditions , which could result in new fire starts and a need for initial attack resources.
The state is also cooperating with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management statewide, who are providing additional aviation resources, including Large Air Tankers (LATs), SEATS, helicopters and scooper planes. Ground resources, such as hotshot crews, Type 1 and 2 hand crews, and engines are also being directed for suppression response.
Additional information on the Elk Fire is available by visiting the InciWeb page or the Bighorn National Forest Facebook page.
Mule Deer Foundation raising funds for wildfire ravaged northern Wyoming
The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is stepping forward to help heal this wounded landscape. We are committed to raising $60,000 by Oct. 31 to restore the habitat that wildlife and ranchers alike depend on. The foundation’s efforts will focus on rebuilding essential fencing, providing seed for burned areas, and combating invasive species that threaten to take hold in this fragile environment, according to a release sent Oct. 4 from the foundation.
Friday afternoon fire activity update
The fire has been active on the west side Friday and is putting up heavy smoke as it is burning in heavy timber along the Dry Fork drainage, according to Bighorn National Forest officials. This portion of the fire is actively moving to both the southwest and northwest.
The northeastern side of the fire has shown little fire activity in most areas thus far and is not moving actively. The fire is burning patches of timber in the Tongue River Canyon; these areas are within the current fire perimeter. And resources are confident lines in this area will hold.
There has been an increase in activity west of Steamboat Point near Cutler Creek. Air resources are being used heavily to slow spread toward Highway 14 and structures in that area.
East of Steamboat Point, the fire is active south of Highway 14. Additional evacuations were ordered earlier in the day for the Eatons’ Ranch area. Airtankers have been dropping retardant throughout the day to slow fire spread in this area.
There is a hard closure to all traffic, to include fire resources in this area.
City takes actions to protect treatments plants
The city of Sheridan is deploying additional resources to protect the city’s water treatment plants during the ongoing Elk Fire. City staff has cleared extra vegetation around the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant and the intake site to reduce the fire risk. The U.S. Forest Service has also allocated extra resources to safeguard this facility, ensuring residents and Sheridan Area Water System (SAWS) customers continue to have a supply of clean water. Additionally, the Elk Fire Incident Command has prioritized the entire water system as an infrastructure protection priority. The Sheridan water intake supplies water to both the Big Goose and the Sheridan water treatment plants which in turn provides freshwater to residents of the City of Sheridan and to SAWS customers.
The Big Goose Water Intake Facility is expected to be able to continuously provide water to the Sheridan plant regardless of the Elk Fire’s impact.
The Big Goose Water Treatment Plant is situated in such a way as to minimize the risk of fire and can be operated remotely with redundant systems. Should it fail, the impact will be minimal as the Sheridan Water Treatment Plant has the ability to back-flow water as far as Beckton Hall Road. While the freshwater treatment system is not currently in danger, the City of Sheridan is taking precautions to ensure a calm and organized response in the event the facilities are impacted.
There is currently no requirement for residents to take any special measures, but the city recommends residents remain vigilant throughout the weekend and keep abreast of updates.
The City of Sheridan and all of its partner organizations are committed to providing updates as more information becomes available, ensuring citizens are always informed about the situation.
Full crews prepare for heavy activity Friday, into weekend
DAYTON — Fire activity on the Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest remained fairly quiet overnight Thursday, but in preparation for incoming weather — forecasted high winds and high temperatures Friday and Saturday — Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office issued increased evacuation statuses for a wider area in Sheridan County and fire crews prepped areas to preserve structures.
All hands on deck
The Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 will utilize all 528 personnel to fight fires Friday and Saturday. The fire remains at 0% containment and consumed 51,115 acres thus far.
Red flag warning issued
A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Friday at noon until Saturday at 6 p.m. The forecast includes temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s and relative humidity in the teens. Winds are forecast to shift from the southeast to southwest and west during the day, gusting up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Overnight Friday, the winds are expected to shift to be out of the northwest and gusting up to 50 mph; this is associated with the passage of a cold front. With this anticipated hot, windy weather, it is likely there will be an increase to the size of the fire.
Crews prepare Thursday for weekend
After having previously used a bulldozer to create a fireline, fire crews utilized an Unmanned Aircraft System to implement a successful burnout operation west of the Horseshoe Subdivision Thursday, the incident management Friday morning update said. By intentionally placing fire on the ground between the fireline and the main fire, fire managers were able control the rate at which the vegetation was burned under calmer conditions. This tactic was utilized to lessen the chance of fire advancing upon structures in the future. Overnight Thursday, crews continued burning vegetation to increase the distance between structures and the southeast side of the main fire.
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 only implementing plans and tactics that have a high probability of success.
New evacuation areas issued
Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office has placed a few new areas into new evacuation status to give residents time to plan ahead Thursday evening. A similar weather pattern occurred over the fire area last weekend, which caused erratic fire behavior.
New areas in “Set” include:
• South of Twin Creek Road from Parkman, north of Amsden Road, and west of Wy HWY 343. This includes residences along Smith Creek Road and Columbus Creek Road.
• Eatons’ Ranch
New areas in “Ready” include:
• South of Montana state line to Wyoming Highway 343, east to Interstate 90, and east to Barker Road. This includes residences in the Parkman Hills Subdivision and residences along the west side of Barker Road.
• West of Beckton Road from Dayton, continuing south to the intersection of Beckton Road and Big Goose Road. This also includes the area west of Rapid Creek Road.
Additionally, Columbus Creek Road is closed at the intersection of Wyoming Highway 343 and Columbus Creek Road.
With an anticipated increase in fire activity due to critical fire weather today through Saturday, please keep all county and local roads clear. If you stop to look, you could stop first responders.
Air suppression efforts continue Friday
To slow fire spread, the incident management team on the Elk Fire is making full use of its air resources, to include airtankers, according to the Bighorn National Forest. There are varying sizes of airtankers used in wildland firefighting. The Elk Fire has had various resources attached: single engine airtankers, large airtankers, and very large airtankers.
Friday, multiple large airtankers were used to drop retardant on the Elk Fire. A large airtanker can hold up to 3,000 pounds and a very large airtanker can drop 9,400 lbs. A video shows airtankers dropping retardant in the area of Eatons’ Ranch and the Wolf Creek drainage, south of Dayton.
Additionally, there are 10 helicopters assigned to this fire and are being utilized to drop water in areas to assist firefighters on the ground; these air assets will be used as long as possible Friday.
Make room for emergency response on roads
Red Grade Road 26 in the Bighorn National Forest is being heavily used at this time. Please slow down and use caution, especially around blind corners, Bighorn National Forest Public Affairs Specialist Sara Evans Kirol said in a release Friday, Oct. 4.
If you decide to remove equipment such as campers from open areas on Forest, it is not recommended to park your property in another location on the Forest. The Elk Fire closure remains in effect and access is not being granted to anyone outside of firefighting and law enforcement personnel. Keep in mind that closure boundaries could change.
Red Grade Road 26 remains open at this time. However, it could be closed at a later point to support firefighting efforts on the Elk Fire. Consider taking alternative routes to the west and around to avoid Red Grade congestion.
For previous updates on the fire, click through additional pages below.
Sheriff issues new evacuation statuses
Working with the team managing the Elk Fire, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office has placed a few new areas into new evacuation status to give residents time to plan ahead. This has been done in advance of incoming weather with forecasted high winds to start tomorrow afternoon and continue into Saturday. A similar weather pattern occurred over the fire area last weekend, which caused erratic fire behavior.
New areas in “Set” include:
• South of Twin Creek Road from Parkman, north of Amsden Road, and west of Wy HWY 343. This includes residences along Smith Creek Road and Columbus Creek Road.
• Eatons’ Ranch
New areas in “Ready” include:
• South of Montana state line to Wy HWY 343, east to I-90, and east to Barker Road. This includes residences in the Parkman Hills Subdivision and residences along the west side of Barker Road.
• West of Beckton Road from Dayton, continuing south to the intersection of Beckton Road and Big Goose Road. This also includes the area west of Rapid Creek Road.
Additionally, Columbus Creek Road is closed at the intersection of Wy HWY 343 and Columbus Creek Road.
Fire consumes nearly 50,000 acres
Updates from the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 Thursday morning showed large growth in the lightning-caused Elk Fire near Dayton Wednesday, now totaling 49,555 acres burned with 0% containment and 200 personnel working to preserve human life first and structures second.
Hot, windy weather is anticipated to start Friday afternoon and continue into Saturday, which will likely bring increased fire activity and spread.
The fire was less active overnight due to cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity over the fire.
Access closed to community trailheads
The Poverty Flat, Bear Gulch East and Aspens Trailheads at the Sheridan Community Land Trust’s Red Grade Trails system are closed in accordance with the U.S. Forest Service – Bighorn National Forest closures related to the Elk Fire.
The land trust asks that community members not use the trails or the trailheads until the closure is lifted.
Base and Springs Trailhead at Red Grade Trails remain open as do all trails on the Soldier Ridge Trail System and The Green Room Trail.
Bighorn National Forest extends closure to north of Red Grade
The Big Horn National Forest has extended the forest closure and is now closed from Red Grade Road north. Stage 2 fire restrictions are now in effect in the national forest.
Sibley fire confirmed as part of Elk Fire
Complex Incident Management Team 3 officials confirmed fire at Sibley Lake and campground. Officials could not confirm start time or size, but confirmed that fire in the Sibley area is part of the larger Elk Fire.
The team is working on a larger fire update this afternoon.
All schools on the Tongue River side of district to be closed Oct. 3
Tongue River High School, elementary, middle school and Slack School will be closed Oct. 3 and there will be no virtual online expectation for schooling.
TRE and TRMS will dismiss as normal at 4 p.m. Oct. 2, TRHS was online and Slack was closed.
At 11 a.m. Oct. 2, Sheridan County School District 1 Superintendent Jeff Jones held a Zoom meeting with a large group of administrators and supervisory staff from across the district. In the meeting, Jones gathered information regarding the current status of the school district as a result of the fire.
“Not surprisingly, the impact is getting more and more difficult to manage. We have a large, growing number of staff members absent because they are either fighting the fire, needing to leave to get to Dayton so they can prepare for the potential of an evacuation, etc. We have many more staff members who, while they may still be in school, are incredibly shaken because in one way or another, they are greatly impacted by what is happening at this moment,” Jones said in an email to SCSD1 staff and families.
All activities on the Tongue River side are canceled for the balance of the week and weekend. This includes practices as well as home and away games. Efforts will be made to reschedule the events.
“There are scenarios where we simply don’t have bus drivers, coaches, etc. We also don’t want students to be coming in and out of the parking lot at TRHS to get things to get to a practice or game,” Jones said in an email to district staff and families. “Finally, to be frank, it doesn’t make sense to be playing a ballgame out of town while your family’s home is in jeopardy of burning down. Every effort will be made to reschedule events.”
For families who need extra time to prepare things in Dayton, there will be staff at TRE and TRMS who are willing to stay longer after school with children. The district also has extra space near the bus barn in Ranchester if people need extra space for campers, Jones said in the email.
Town of Dayton in “ready” pre-evacuation order
Here are the most recent evacuation orders, as of 10:55 a.m. Wednesday:
The Sheridan County Sheriff has increased the evacuation status of both the Eagle Ridge Subdivision and the residences directly adjacent to the east of U.S. Highway 14, going up the mountain, to “Set.” If you are in either of these areas, please take the time now to gather up important things and be prepared to evacuate if notified.
The town of Dayton has been placed in a “Ready,” or pre-evacuation, status. If you live in the town of Dayton, take the time now to think about what you would want to take with you or where you might go if the Town of Dayton is put into a “Set” status.
• Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman
• Tongue River Canyon west of Dayton, where the pavement turns to dirt.
• Town of Parkman residents and residents of north of Parkman, on both the east and west sides of Highway 345 up to the Montana state line are now under a pre-evacuation or, “ready,” notice. This does not include the Hersey Road area.
Residents in the “ready” stage should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Emergency personnel have contacted all affected residents directly.
The town of Dayton is not under a pre-evacuation notice or “ready” status at this time.
Fire exceeds 32,000 acres burned
The Elk Fire grew to 32,069 acres burned with no containment as of 9 p.m. Tuesday. Additional air and ground resources arrived Tuesday to assist in fire control efforts.
“It’s important to note the effectiveness of air support is dependent on wind conditions and smoke coverage,” Sheridan County Emergency Management Coordinator Jesse Ludikhuize said in a press release.
Residents in Dayton and Ranchester areas should expect to see a significant increase in emergency vehicles.
Highway 14 still closed
Highway 14 from Dayton to Burgess Junction remains closed, and all other closures from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to Forest Service roads — see below — remain in effect.
“We’re working diligently to minimize the impact on the community while keeping everyone informed,” Ludikhuize said. “Please continue to respect evacuation notices and obey all road closures. It is crucial to stay out of the fire area to allow emergency personnel to work without obstruction.”
Highway 14 closure will be continually evaluated and adjustments will be made as conditions allow. The road remains closed due to thick smoke, fire conditions and the need to ensure the safety of emergency responders.
Fire impacts one firefighter, six buildings
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., signifying critical fire weather conditions, including low humidity and high winds, which could exacerbate the fire.
Since the beginning of the fire, six non-primary residential structures have been destroyed, including barns, outhouses and other non-primary residential buildings. All affected property owners have been notified by emergency personnel.
One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday, requiring transport to Sheridan Memorial Hospital, where the person is currently receiving treatment.
Larger crew assumes management
Wyoming Type 3 Team transferred management of the fire to Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The Complex Incident Management Team 3 will host a public meeting Wednesday at Tongue River Middle School — relocated from Tongue River High School Wednesday at 11 a.m. due to growing evacuation concerns in Dayton — starting at 7 p.m.
The in-person meeting will be recorded and published later by the team, who will make themselves available to answer questions and address public concerns related to the fire.
The new incident management team assumed operational control Monday at 7 p.m., and all updates will come from that team. The group will establish a public contact number, to be shared soon, according to Ludikhuize.
No donations of food or supplies are needed for firefighters or emergency personnel at this time.
Students remain online Wednesday
Emergency management personnel contacted SCSD1 Superintendent Jeff Jones at 12:15 a.m. and advised that students and staff at Tongue River High School only to go online Wednesday.
“I will continue to stay in touch as I get more information in the morning,” Jones said in an email to SCSD1 staff and families. “Please continue to pray for our firefighters, emergency responders and all of the families impacted.”
Slack School is also closed.
Community support
Sheridan County YMCA will provide shower passes for anyone displaced by the Elk Fire. Check in with the front desk with your information and mention the fire relief effort. Additionally, while space allows, the Y is providing space for parking campers, but they do not have electricity hookups. To reserve a spot, call and ask for availability and fill out a form at the front desk to check in.
Those needing a place to take livestock or a place to stay in a camper may evacuate to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. If you need a place to stay and you are evacuated, contact Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174. Emergency Management officials said staff will work with any resident that has pets to ensure they are also sheltered.
UPDATE: 5:15 a.m. Oct. 2
Due to the rapidly changing conditions of the Elk Fire, evacuation orders have been issued for Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman, and Tongue River Canyon west of Dayton, where the pavement turns to dirt.
In addition, the Town of Parkman residents and residents of north of Parkman, on both the east and west sides of Highway 345 up to the Montana state line are now under a pre-evacuation or, “ready,” notice. This does not include the Hersey Road area. Residents in the “ready” stage should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Emergency personnel have contacted all affected residents directly.
The Town of Dayton is not under a pre-evacuation notice or “ready” status at this time.
UPDATE: 12:38 a.m. Oct. 2
DAYTON — Because of worsening fire conditions near Dayton, Sheridan County School District 1 is being advised to have students and staff at Tongue River High School to stay online Oct. 2.
Emergency management personnel contacted SCSD1 Superintendent Jeff Jones at 12:15 a.m. and advised that students and staff at TRHS only to go online Wednesday.
“I will continue to stay in touch as I get more information in the morning,” Jones said in an email to SCSD1 staff and families. “Please continue to pray for our firefighters, emergency responders and all of the families impacted.”
Slack School is also closed.
UPDATE: 11:45 p.m. Oct. 1
DAYTON — Evacuations have been ordered for all the residences on Pass Creek Road between East Pass Creek and Twin Creek Road and from the X bar X Ranch north to the state line.
Authorities have contacted residents.
The ranch is located at 846 Pass Creek Road in Parkman.
.
UPDATE: 5 p.m. Oct. 1
DAYTON — Fire suppression efforts continue. The latest update includes additional acreage burned, a minor injury, a scheduled public meeting and Tongue River High School students returning to in-person instruction.
Fire exceeds 32,000 acres burned
The Elk Fire grew to 32,069 acres burned with no containment as of 9 p.m. Tuesday. Additional air and ground resources arrived Tuesday to assist in fire control efforts.
“It’s important to note the effectiveness of air support is dependent on wind conditions and smoke coverage,” Sheridan County Emergency Management Coordinator Jesse Ludikhuize said in a press release.
Residents in Dayton and Ranchester areas should expect to see a significant increase in emergency vehicles.
Highway 14 from Dayton to Burgess Junction remains closed, and all other closures from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to Forest Service roads — see below — remain in effect.
“We’re working diligently to minimize the impact on the community while keeping everyone informed,” Ludikhuize said. “Please continue to respect evacuation notices and obey all road closures. It is crucial to stay out of the fire area to allow emergency personnel to work without obstruction.”
Highway 14 closure will be continually evaluated and adjustments will be made as conditions allow. The road remains closed due to thick smoke, fire conditions and the need to ensure the safety of emergency responders.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., signifying critical fire weather conditions, including low humidity and high winds, which could exacerbate the fire.
Since the beginning of the fire, six non-primary residential structures have been destroyed, including barns, outhouses and other non-primary residential buildings. All affected property owners have been notified by emergency personnel.
One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday, requiring transport to Sheridan Memorial Hospital, where the person is currently receiving treatment.
Larger crew assumes management
Wyoming Type 3 Team transferred management of the fire to Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The Complex Incident Management Team 3 will host a public meeting Wednesday at Tongue River High School in Dayton, starting at 7 p.m.
The in-person meeting will be recorded and published later by the team, who will make themselves available to answer questions and address public concerns related to the fire.
The new incident management team assumed operational control Monday at 7 p.m., and all updates will come from that team. The group will establish a public contact number, to be shared soon, according to Ludikhuize.
No donations of food or supplies are needed for firefighters or emergency personnel at this time.
Students return to in-person learning Wednesday
Tongue River High School students will return to the physical classroom Wednesday.
“The situation has significantly improved near the high school and there is a presence of personnel and equipment (on the ground and in the air) in that area which has reduced the level of risk,” Sheridan County School District 1 superintendent Jeff Jones said in a Oct. 1 email to district parents. “Obviously we will continue to monitor the situation, literally by the minute. If things change, we will adjust as needed and that will be communicated out to all staff and families.”
As an extra precaution, several buses and drivers will be stationed at Tongue River High School during the school day. This will allow the district to evacuate the school in a matter of minutes if necessary.
Sports practices at the high school will resume on the afternoon of Oct. 1. The district will monitor the air quality for outdoor activities, assuring students with breathing issues minimize exposure or be excused all together from practices outside if that is what they need. If you are a parent of a child in this situation, please reach out to your child’s principal or coach if you have questions or concerns.
The Slack School will continue online schooling on Oct. 2.
Community support
Sheridan County YMCA will provide shower passes for anyone displaced by the Elk Fire. Check in with the front desk with your information and mention the fire relief effort. Additionally, while space allows, the Y is providing space for parking campers, but they do not have electricity hookups. To reserve a spot, call and ask for availability and fill out a form at the front desk to check in.
The Defense Health Agency announced TRICARE beneficiaries in Sheridan County may receive emergency prescription refills now through Oct. 11, 2024, due to the Elk Fire.
To receive an emergency refill of prescription medications, TRICARE beneficiaries should take their prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. If the bottle is unavailable or the label is damaged or missing, beneficiaries should contact Express Scripts, Inc., or their retail network pharmacy for assistance.
To find a network pharmacy, beneficiaries may call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303, or search the network pharmacy locator. If possible, visit the pharmacy where the prescription was filled.
UPDATE: 8:38 a.m. Oct. 1
PARKMAN — The Elk Fire continues to burn across the Bighorn mountain range stretching from Pass Creek Road to the Dayton area.
Tongue River High School closed Tuesday
Sheridan County School District 1 Superintendent Jeff Jones said Tongue River High School will remain closed Tuesday due to the fire.
“There is going to be a lot of action with equipment and personnel moving in the Tongue River High School area, (so) emergency personnel has asked that we keep students and staff at TRHS out again (Tuesday),” Jones said. All students from Tongue River High School will attend classes online.
Travel restrictions and road closures
According to the latest report from the Bighorn National Forest Service, the latest routes to be restricted to local residence traffic are:
• Pass Creek Road, County Road 144 (from intersection of Highway 345 and Pass Creek Road)
• Twin Creek Road (Access off of Parkman)
• Smith Creek Road (Intersection of Highway 343 and Smith Creek Road)
• Tongue River Canyon Road
• U.S. Highway 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction (as of 7 a.m. Oct. 1, estimated opening time is unknown)
Evacuations remain in place along these routes. Law enforcement and fire personnel are asking people to respect the closures on Pass Creek Road along with other restrictions listed.
Due to the location, nature and direction of the Elk Fire, the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Incident Command are concerned for the safety of the traveling public, hunters, campers and residents of the Burgess Junction area, and are asking those individuals to evacuate the area. A Bighorn National Forest Closure Order is in place for firefighter and public safety. The area closed is the area north of US Highway 14 and east of the border of the Medicine Wheel Ranger District and the Tongue Ranger District.
Individuals with properties or personal belongings accessible from U.S. Highway 14 and U.S. Highway 14A will not be allowed access.
The Bighorn Forest Service and WYDOT are asking the public to avoid any unnecessary travel or parking in the area that may impede in the ongoing efforts to suppress this fire.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol will be operating gates at Dayton and Burgess Junction. It is unknown how long the closure will last.
Size and containment
Cooler temperatures helped firefighting efforts Monday.
According to a report from the Wyoming Type 3 Team Tuesday morning, the fire has burned approximately 25,085 acres and is 0% contained.
There are six hand crews, three engines, four heavy equipment, two Type 1 helicopters, one Type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter and two air attack battling the blaze.
Monday, firefighting operations focused on the northern and eastern sides of the fire with crews working to remove vegetation by use of hand tools and strategically putting fire on the ground to consume vegetation, or fuel, between structures and the fire. Air resources were used to assist ground operations and ensure for firefighter safety. Tuesday, firefighters will continue to build fire line around the fire, where it is safe to do so, with the assistance of air resources. The strategy being implemented on this fire is full suppression. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority, and the tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain, fire and weather conditions, and medical response time.
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-60s on the fire area Tuesday with winds changing to be out of the southwest and relative humidity around 18%. The shift in wind may cause the fire to be active in different areas than Monday.
Wyoming
American Rare Earths strengthens board with veteran Wyoming mine builder ahead of planned Nasdaq listing
Veteran mine builder Matthew Gili will join American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR, OTCQX:ARRNF)’s board as a non-executive director as the company advances the Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming and prepares for a planned Nasdaq compliance listing in H2 2026.
Gili is currently president and CEO of Ur-Energy Inc, a NYSE American and TSX-listed Wyoming uranium producer, and brings more than 25 years of mine development and operational experience across major global mining groups including Rio Tinto and Barrick.
His appointment remains subject to completion of Australian regulatory formalities, which American Rare Earths expects to be completed shortly.
Once formally appointed, Gili will join the company’s Technical Committee and contribute to the Definitive Feasibility Study workstream at Halleck Creek, which American Rare Earths describes as the largest known rare earth deposit in the United States on a total rare earth oxide basis.
Board renewal ahead of US listing plans
The appointment forms part of a broader board renewal process as ARR works toward a Nasdaq compliance dual-listing in H2 2026, while retaining the ASX as its primary listing.
The company is also considering a full US domicile in 2027, subject to a prospective shareholder vote.
CEO Mark Wall said Gili’s operational experience and Wyoming background would strengthen the board as Halleck Creek moves toward construction and production.
“The intended addition of Matt to our Board of Directors further demonstrates our commitment to advancing the largest rare earth element deposit on a total contained rare earths basis in the United States toward construction and operations. Matt brings a tremendous blend of mining technical expertise and Wyoming-specific experience to both the Board and the Technical Committee. His depth of operational knowledge, his relationships in Wyoming, and his proven track record of delivering world-class mining projects, including building the first new copper mine in the United States in a decade, make him exactly the right person to help us get Halleck Creek built.
“As we progress toward our NASDAQ listing later this year, appointments of this calibre send a clear message to U.S. investors about the quality of the team and the seriousness of our intent. Matt’s experience managing ISR uranium operations in Wyoming gives him first-hand knowledge of the hydrometallurgical processing chemistry that will be central to bringing Halleck Creek into production. The parallels between uranium and rare earth processing are substantial and practically meaningful. This is not simply a credential; it is operational expertise that will directly benefit our Technical Committee and Feasibility Study.”
by Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile
The Seminoe pumped-water storage hydroelectric project in Carbon County advanced toward final approval this month, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued its environmental impact statement, leaving critics warning of potential fish kills and other risks to wildlife.
Though the newest plan to minimize myriad impacts to fisheries, wildlife and local recreation economies makes concessions “around the margins,” project skeptics say the FERC ignored calls — including from local and state elected officials — to make more meaningful changes regarding threats, including to a “blue ribbon” trout fishery and a vital bighorn sheep herd.
“I’m very disheartened by the final EIS,” Trout Unlimited’s Wyoming Government Relations Director Patrick Harrington told WyoFile.
The plan still doesn’t mandate operational responses that would effectively prevent a trout kill in the prized Miracle Mile of the North Platte River immediately downstream of Seminoe Reservoir due to the threat of rising water temperatures, Harrington said. Trout are a cold-water species and particularly sensitive to warmer temperatures. Groups like Trout Unlimited and Friends of the North Platte have warned that even one day of higher-than-tolerable water temperatures could result in a devastating fish kill.
The potential for a Miracle Mile fish kill still exists, Harrington said, because FERC declined to update its water forecast modeling to include more recent climate-change analysis that shows higher temperatures and lower annual snowpack for cold water runoff. That leaves the protocol to respond to rising water temperatures woefully inadequate.
“It still leaves serious risk to fisheries — and those go back to our concerns over the data that informs the [water quality] model,” Harrington said.
The revised plan also retains multiple waivers to bypass seasonal construction limitations designed to protect wildlife, including the Ferris-Seminoe bighorn sheep herd. Developer rPlus Hydro says the waivers are vital to the economic feasibility for what it hopes will be a five-year construction period. Complying with the slate of seasonal wildlife restrictions will add major cost, the company has testified.
“These [wildlife timing restrictions] did not come as a surprise to them,” Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation Executive Director Katie Cheesbrough said, adding that granting waivers of science-backed protections would set a dangerous precedent for other industrial projects in the state. “Those wildlife restrictions were publicly available, and they knew that going into it. If it was going to make the project cost-prohibitive, then they shouldn’t do the project. It’s not on Wyoming to ensure that [wildlife protections] are within their cost range.”
rPlus Hydro responds
The Utah-based company proposes building a 13,400-acre-foot reservoir in the Bennett Mountains overlooking Seminoe Reservoir near the dam — one of several reservoirs on the North Platte River. The $4 billion facility would pump water uphill during daytime “off-peak demand” hours for electricity when wind and solar power are plentiful and wholesale electricity is cheapest, according to rPlus Hydro.
“Think of it as a ‘water battery’ that stores energy generated when demand is low,” the company told WyoFile. “When demand increases, water is released from the upper reservoir back into Seminoe, driving hydroelectric turbines to produce electricity.”
Skeptics in Wyoming have cast doubt on the necessity and consumer benefit of the electrical generation daily balance strategy.
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This map depicts the Seminoe pumped water storage hydroelectric project area. (Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality)
For its part, the company contends that the Seminoe pumped-water storage project represents a $200 million annual savings to ratepayers. A company representative also told WyoFile the FERC’s final EIS “confirms the project is needed for future energy growth and reliability while also safeguarding both the North Platte River and bighorn sheep.”
rPlus Hydro Deputy General Counsel Kevin Baker pointed to the fact that the Wyoming Department of Quality granted a “section 401” water quality certificate for the project earlier this year. The state certificate is proof that “the project will not harm downstream waters, including the Miracle Mile, so drinking water, fishing and recreation remain protected,” Baker wrote.
“The state’s conclusion is backed by a robust, state-led Water Quality Adaptive Management Plan which provides real-time monitoring and strong enforcement measures designed to identify and correct any potential issues before they develop.”
The Environmental Protection Agency agreed with Wyoming DEQ’s findings and stipulations, Baker added.
But there remain huge holes in the modeling — rooted in the failure to consider a changing climate — that FERC, DEQ and the EPA have based their analysis on, Harrington contends. “It’s a castle made of sand.”
Regarding wildlife, and the Ferris-Seminoe bighorn sheep herd in particular, rPlus Hydro contends it is committed to “strict construction practices to minimize disturbance and significant investment in habitat and herd management to ensure its continued health and viability.”
But those promises are not enshrined in FERC’s stipulations for the project, said Cheesbrough of the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation.
There’s no way, she said, to ensure the bighorn sheep herd, and other wildlife, will be protected due to the multiple waivers FERC wants to allow for seasonal restrictions. Understandably, Cheesbrough noted, the restrictions for bighorn sheep, sage grouse, raptors and other wildlife would black out much of the calendar, limiting when construction could take place.
Protecting wildlife, Cheesbrough said, would likely add several years and dramatically increase the project’s cost. But, she added, “For them to be like, ‘Well, we just can’t afford to do it here if we have to abide by all of this,’ and then asking for waivers, it seems like a very dangerous precedent to set.”
Public and government pushback
The FERC is the primary permitting agency for the project because of its reliance on federally managed water-storage reservoirs, hydroelectric and electrical transmission systems. It’s a source of heartburn for locals, Harrington said, because the agency seems less beholden to public and local government input compared to other federal agencies.
“It’s frustrating,” Harrington said. “I think this project is headed toward licensing in September because the adjustments FERC has made have sort of just indicated that there’s not going to be a lot of changes to the plan as proposed.”
“For them to be like, ‘Well, we just can’t afford to do it here if we have to abide by all of this,’ and then asking for waivers, it seems like a very dangerous precedent to set.”
Katie Cheesbrough, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation
In May, the Legislature’s Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee heard a large outcry from wildlife and recreation enthusiasts opposing the project, as well as from local officials from Carbon and Natrona counties.
“These concerns are not theoretical for us,” Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco told the legislative panel. “Casper relies directly on the North Platte River for drinking water, wastewater treatment, recreation, tourism and the quality of life.”
Committee members bristled at what they saw as a severe lack of engagement by rPlus Hydro and FERC with the public and local officials. Committee leaders agreed to send a letter to Wyoming’s congressional delegation, as well as to FERC, imploring officials to insist on meaningful protections.
What’s next?
The FERC has indicated that the publication of the final EIS this month does not trigger a public comment period before giving its final approval later this year. Some governmental agencies, however, still have the power to persuade the FERC, according to WyoFile sources.
So what powers can be exerted on the FERC to change course on the project?
For example, the wildlife waivers and other accommodations in the FERC’s plan do not align with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s resource management plan for the region, administered by the BLM’s Rawlins Field Office. If the BLM chooses to accommodate FERC’s plan for the project, it would likely have to amend its resource management plan — a process that is more inclusive of public and local government agencies.
Harrington and Cheesbrough both noted that the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, for example, has refused to endorse a carte blanche waiver of seasonal wildlife restrictions. That could be a major factor if the BLM initiates the process to align its management plan with FERC’s proposed certification of the project.
“To me, that’s a massive hurdle,” Harrington said.
This article was originally published by WyoFile and is republished here with permission. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
Related
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Family Services recently announced that it will be launching a federal program this week to provide grocery assistance to more than 37,000 school-aged children across the state.
Known as SUN Bucks, the initiative provides a one-time $120 benefit per eligible child to help families cover food costs during the summer months, the department announced in a release. Gov. Mark Gordon previously authorized the program’s implementation through an executive order on April 15.
Gordon described the initiative as an essential tool to support children who may otherwise lack access to healthy food while school is out of session.
“We want our children to thrive, because when our children are successful, so too are our communities,” he stated in the release.
According to DFS, most qualifying children will be automatically enrolled in the program. The department reports that it began sending eligibility notifications this week via mail and email.
Eligible families can expect to receive SUN Bucks electronic benefit transfer cards in the mail starting in early July.
DFS Director Korin Schmidt said in a statement that the program is specifically designed to assist rural children who lose access to school-provided breakfast and lunch during the summer months, adding that the benefits will allow families to purchase groceries as needed to ensure food is available in the home for those missed meals.
The SUN Bucks cards will function similarly to other benefit programs and be accepted at any retailer participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
While tens of thousands of children are enrolled automatically, some eligible families may still need to apply, according to the press release. Residents can check their child’s enrollment status or submit an application through the DFS SUN Bucks website starting June 22.
For more information, people can visit the DFS website, email ask-sunbucks@wyo.gov or call 307-777-8786 between 8:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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