A massive wildfire continues to ravage Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest, growing to over 75,000 acres as of Wednesday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Initially sparked by lightning, the Elk Fire is threatening nearby communities, infrastructure and critical resources.
More than 829 firefighters and other personnel have been deployed to battle the blaze as containment efforts intensify. The fire is only 16 percent contained, leaving officials and residents on high alert as they prepare for potential evacuations.
Increased fire behavior was reported early Wednesday morning because of high winds and low humidity. At around 3 a.m. Mountain time, gusty winds intensified fire activity northwest of the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant, the U.S. Forest Service said in a post on Facebook. Firefighters working the night shift, including a dozer, a Hotshot crew and eight engines, quickly responded to the area.
A firefighter watches the Fishhawk Fire in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest on September 4, 2019. A wildfire burning in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest has grown to over 75,000 acres. A firefighter watches the Fishhawk Fire in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest on September 4, 2019. A wildfire burning in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest has grown to over 75,000 acres. Rebecca Noble/The Billings Gazette via AP
“The weather today will be warmer, drier and the fire will likely be more active. Numerous aircraft are assigned to the incident and will be conducting water and retardant drops,” the post continued.
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A community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Bighorn and Story areas, where fire officials and agency representatives will provide updates on the firefighting efforts and address concerns about evacuation plans and protective measures, the U.S. Forest Service said.
Attendees will get an update on the fire and evacuations and will also have an opportunity to post questions to agency representatives and fire managers.
Firefighting crews continue to battle the fire on multiple fronts, with a focus on containment and protection of critical infrastructure. The northern side of the fire remains highly active, particularly around steep drainages producing heavy smoke near Little Bighorn Canyon.
On Tuesday, a crew conducted strategic firing operations, and aircraft dropped fire retardant along the 144 Road. Crews will continue to prepare this area on Wednesday, with more firing operations planned to protect the canyon.
Containment efforts are slowly progressing, with containment on the northeastern side of the fire increasing from 10 percent to 16 percent over the past day. Firefighters have constructed containment lines, both natural and man-made, to prevent further spread.
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Firefighters face challenging conditions, as unseasonably hot and dry weather is expected to peak on Wednesday, with southwest winds gusting up to 20 mph. The dry vegetation in the area remains highly flammable, contributing to increased fire activity and smoke production, particularly on the fire’s western and southern sides.
Residents concerned about air quality are encouraged to check updates on the AirNow website (airnow.gov). The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office downgraded evacuation status for certain areas on Tuesday.
The zone, which includes Slack Road near the Montana border and stretches southwest toward the Kerns Elk Refuge, has been moved from “Go” to “Set” evacuation status. While the situation has slightly improved, nearby residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepared for potential changes.
This wildfire, now the largest seen in Bighorn National Forest in over a century, continues to pose significant risks to the region as firefighting teams work tirelessly to contain it.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about wildfires? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Editor’s note: This episode was originally published on Oct. 12, 2025.
Two cabins in Jackson, Wyoming are what’s left of a set for a Hollywood western filmed in the area during the 1950s. One of them is five miles north of Jackson in Kelly and the other is under the ownership of History Jackson Hole, a museum in town.
This week on “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Rett Nelson speaks with local researcher Samantha Ford and dives into the history of these cabins, the film in which they were featured and why Jackson was selected as the production site.
If you’re a cinephile or a fan of old movies, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
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Previous episodes are available in the audio player below. Watch previous episodes here.
Season two is coming in 2026. If you have a topic or guest idea for an upcoming episode, email rett@eastidahonews.com.
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CASPER, Wyo. — Here is a list of those who filed for a divorce from Dec. 22 through Dec. 29. All filings are reported to Oil City News by the Natrona County District Court.
The log is not a comprehensive document and may not represent all of the divorces in Natrona County. The report excludes sealed cases and confidential parties.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently announced its plan to move forward in 2026 with developing Feedground Management Action Plans, a key component of the broader Wyoming Elk Feedgrounds Plan.
A release from the Game and Fish Department states that as part of the department’s statewide Chronic Management Plan, the Wyoming Elk Feedgrounds Plan was established to guide the department’s overall and long-term approach to elk management for the 21 feedgrounds across Wyoming. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved the final draft of the strategy in March 2024, following close to four years of collaborative planning with more than 60 volunteer stakeholders.
The release notes that the development of the individual FMAPs is the next step in the process. The department will be working closely with stakeholders, as well as the public, to address key concerns and priorities.
“Game and Fish remains committed to the management of our state’s feedgrounds in an adaptable manner that utilizes the best science available,” said Game and Fish director Angi Bruce. “Supplemental winter feeding of elk has continued to grow in complexity. These plans will allow us to adjust to current and future conditions in feedground management.”
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Specific FMAPs will be developed for each of the six elk herds, as well as their corresponding feedgrounds in the Jackson and Pinedale regions. They’re intended to be a playbook of strategies guiding feedground management through biological, social, and economic factors. FMAPs are designed to be adaptable as on-the-ground-conditions change and science emerges.
In early 2026, draft FMAP documents will be shared during a series of public meetings. They will be presented to the Game and Fish Commission later in the year.
“The goal of the FMAP process is to ensure our strategies are not only sustainable for our agency, but supported and beneficial to the public,” Bruce said. “This is an important issue that has an impact on our state’s wildlife, business owners and residents in our state. Their buy-in and feedback will be essential to a successful long-term plan for feedground management.”
Times and locations for the public meetings will be announced in January on the Game and Fish website. More information on elk feedgrounds, as well as the Feedground Management Plan, can be found on the Elk Feedgrounds page at the Game and Fish Department’s website.
