Massive wildfire in Wyoming expands to over 75,000 acres

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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