Wyoming
More than 900 personnel working to contain the Elk Fire in Wyoming
More than 900 personnel were working to contain the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming nearly two weeks after the fire started.
In an update Thursday, fire officials said the wildfire is now estimated to have burned 76,378 acres and was 15 percent contained. There were 902 personnel assigned to the fire.
The fire was started in the Bighorn National Forest by lightning on Sept. 27. Ten 10 helicopters, 21 crews, 63 engines, 8 dozers, 12 water tenders, 5 masticators, and 1 skidder are currently assigned to the blaze.
Here’s the latest update from fire officials:
Key Messages: The recording of last night’s community meeting at Big Horn High School can be viewed on the Elk Fire YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@2024ElkFire/videos) and the Bighorn National Forest’s Facebook Page (Facebook.com/bighornnf).
The percent containment reported decreased from 16 percent to 15 percent because of recent fire growth. Percent containment measures how much of the fire’s perimeter is surrounded by a control line. The perimeter of the fire is 225 miles, with 34 of those miles being contained firelines.
Overnight, the fire crossed the Big Goose River on the southern end of the fire. The night crew was ready and anticipating this forward progression. They completed firing operations to introduce low-intensity fire on the landscape to reduce the fuel load before the active fire got there. The day shift will continue to work in this area, patrolling and mopping up residual hotspots.
Current Situation:
Residents in Sheridan, Beckton, Bighorn, or Story may have noticed more fire activity and smoke yesterday. The fire was very active, particularly on the west side, due to high winds, high temperatures, low humidity. The fire is expected to be active again today, potentially producing abundant smoke. Additionally, the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team has been implementing strategic firing operations along the northern and southern edges of the fire perimeter, consisting of adding low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground in targeted areas to remove fuels from the fire and limit its intensity. Firing operations will continue today if weather conditions permit.
On the fire’s northern side, a hotshot crew conducted additional firing operations, and air operations dropped fire retardant yesterday off the 144 Road. Today, the crews will continue to prepare the 144 Road to protect the Little Bighorn Canyon. The established containment line along the northeastern side of the fire perimeter is holding, and there is minimal heat detected in the area.
On the southeastern and southern parts of the fire, mopup and patrolling continues. Firefighting crews will continue to build additional control lines and prepare areas for potential firing and aerial operations that would protect the watershed and associated water-treatment plant structures. Road graders are working alongside firefighting resources to prepare the Red Grade Road.
On the western side of the fire in the Burgess Junction area, structure protection is in place, and more pumps and sprinklers will be installed today. Firefighters remain on scene to protect structures and conduct defensive firing operations if needed.
Weather & Fire Behavior: A cold front is moving in today, dropping temperatures, increasing humidity, and shifting wind direction to the northwest. The shifting, gusty winds will likely increase fire activity and smoke production, particularly on the fire’s west side, directing growth into the Bighorn National Forest. Vegetation remains extremely dry and receptive to burning. The cooler, moister conditions are not expected to reduce fire behavior in areas with timber. For air-quality and smoke information, refer to the AirNow website: airnow.gov.
Evacuations and Closures: Sheridan County evacuation levels did not change Wednesday. For detailed information, view the evacuation map and all news releases on the Sheridan County Emergency Management website: tinyurl.com/2s38bcc5 or call either the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office (307-672-3455) or Sheridan County Emergency Management (307-752-2174).
Bighorn National Forest lands around the Elk Fire are closed under Order 02-02-06-24-08. The order and map can be viewed on the forest’s alerts web page: fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
US Highway 14 is closed at Granite Pass/Hunt Mountain Road/FS 10 (milepost 38.3). US Highway 14A is closed at Hunt Mountain Road/FS10 (milepost 85.6). View the Wyoming Department of Transportation road-closure map here: wyoroad.info. Sheridan County road closures have been modified. The following roads remain closed to allow fire personnel to travel the roads safely, ranchers in those areas to move cattle safely, and the residents who live in those areas to travel safely as well.
Soft Closures (roads are closed to the public except local residents):
All of Pass Creek Road to the Wyoming/Montana state line
All of Beckton Road
Slack Road at the Wyoming/Montana state line
Soldier Creek Road West from the Wolf Creek and Soldier Creek Road Intersection
Little Horn Canyon Road
Big Goose Road from the Intersection of Big Goose Road and Beckton Road
Twin Creek Road at the Parkman Access
Rapid Creek Road
Columbus Creek Road
Beckton Hall Road
Smith Creek Road
Big Horn Road
Tongue Canyon Road
Little Goose Canyon Road
Hard Closures (no public access):
All of Red Grade Road
Evacuation Shelter:
An emergency shelter has been established at the fairgrounds in Sheridan and can accommodate numerous people, campers, and animals. To plan for people or animals, call 307-752-2174 or 307-683-6965.
Elk Fire Information:
Phone: 307-303-7642 (8 am to 8 pm)
Email: 2024.Elk@firenet.gov
Linktree: linktr.ee/2024ElkFire
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Wyoming
(PHOTOS) Casper Holistic Expo packs the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds
CASPER, Wyo. — There was magic, or something like it, in the air on Saturday as the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds presented the 2026 Casper Holistic Expo, Casper’s longest running holistic expo and a hallmark of the beginning of spring in Natrona County.
Countless vendors from Casper and beyond gathered with their goodies to present them to eager customers searching for something a little different.
The holistic expo featured crystal and metaphysical shops, tattoo and body piercing studios, henna and glitter tattoo studios, holistic shops, tarot readings, fortune tellers, magic and so much more. There was truly something for everyone, and Christina Kuhn, the lead organizer, said that nobody who came to the expo would leave disappointed.
“This actually started over 20 years ago,” Kuhn said. “I’ve been doing it for years. My mom did it for seven years before me. And Judy Ick, who actually does our photography, she did it before that. So it’s been a very long, very longstanding and growing event.”
Kuhn said that the Holistic Expo has grown exponentially over the years.
“When Judy passed it down to mom, there were 38 booths,” she said. “After mom passed it down to me, there were 78. Now I think we’re up to, like, 98.”
The booths are as eclectic as the people who run them. There’s magic, mysticism and moonlight; storytellers and palm readers; conversationalists and creators. There are CBD products, organic teas, energy testing, and even fudge.
“Some of this is kind of a special niche,” Kuhn shared, “but some of it is not. We’ve got a chiropractor. We’ve got people that are working with healing modalities. Some of it’s spiritual stuff. We’ve got crafts, too.”
There’s a wide variety of vendors and customers as the Holistic Expo, and Kuhn said she wouldn’t want it any other way. The most important thing they do, Kuhn said, is donate to local nonprofits.
“People can either pay the $5 door fee — anybody that’s 13 or over — or they can donate five nonperishable goods,” Kuhn said. “We started donating that to poverty resistance, and then we did City Park Church. This year we’re donating to the Wyoming Food for Thought Project.”
Kuhn said this was just a simple way to give back to the community, a community she and her business have been a part of for years. Kuhn owns a store in downtown Casper called A Place for Passion, and the Holistic Expo also allows her to bring some merch from her store and put in on display with a variety of other items. It’s a fun way to spend a weekend, she said, and she’s proud to be a part of it.
“Good lord, I’ve been doing this for a long time,” she said. “I helped my mom with it for ages and she wanted somebody that would carry on and keep expanding and doing well with it. Before I was helping run the show and managing it, I was a booth. I started sharing a booth with my mom because I only had a few things and I wasn’t sure how well they’d sell. But then it just expanded and took off, and now here I am.”
Kuhn said it means a lot that she’s able to continue the Holistic Expo for her mother.
“It’s nice to keep expanding something, especially something that contributes so much to the community,” she said. “There are so many people that come out and enjoy everything that they get here. And it’s a big opportunity for them to connect with others, to connect with people that have stuff they want to offer them.”
That, Kuhn said, is her favorite part of the Holistic Expo — meeting people.
“It’s just nice connecting with people and helping them out in any way that you can,” she said. “Everybody’s got their own knowledge, gifts, products that they’re putting out — services, whatever it is. So being able to share that with others is awesome. You’ve got to come check it out. It’s an awesome experience. There’s a little something for everyone.”
The Casper Holistic Expo is happening Saturday until 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Industrial Building at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds.
Photos from the Holistic Expo can be seen below:
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Wyoming
Wyoming teen discovers rare and ancient megalodon shark tooth off Florida coast
A 6-inch megalodon shark tooth was found by a Wyoming teen during a dive trip off Manasota Key, Florida earlier this week.
Sixteen-year-old Aiden Andrews and his father Brian were on a guided dive with Fossil Junkies, a local fossil-hunting tour company.
Captain John Kreatsoulas told FOX 13 Tampa Bay reporter Kimberly Kuizon that while finding small megalodon teeth isn’t uncommon, finding one that size is quite rare.
Video captured the moments when Aiden and his father celebrated underwater after making the remarkable discovery.
Popularized by Hollywood monster movies, the Carcharocles megalodon was the largest shark to have ever lived, according to the Smithsonian Institution.
Scientists believe the largest megalodon reached up to 60 feet in length and weighed up to 50 tons.
And as Andrews can attest — they possessed teeth the size of a human hand.
According to the Smithsonian, megalodon lived between 23 and 3.6 million years ago across all of Earth’s oceans.
Wyoming
Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September
Hiking can be an activity that you enjoy doing on your own, but sometimes you need a little extra inspiration, and a group hike is exactly what you need. If you’re looking for a group to explore the outdoors with, the Charles E. Piersall chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America hiking group may be what you’re looking for.
The mission of the IWLA:
To engage the community in the conservation, restoration, and promotion of environmental protection, we focus on the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. This commitment is essential for a sustainable future, and activities like hiking help foster a connection with nature
The group is open to all ages, and even your pup can join in on the fun if they’re on a leash. There is a series of hikes planned beginning on April 1. Nope, this isn’t a prank; it is a real chance to meet other outdoor lovers and take in some of the area’s best hiking trails. The hikes are scheduled on the odd Wednesdays from April to September, weather permitting.
Join us to connect with others who appreciate the beauty of outdoor hiking and environmental advocacy hiking. Remember to bring drinking water, snacks, good walking shoes or boots, and a jacket. A walking stick or hiking poles can also be helpful.
Here are the hikes they have planned for this summer.
April 2026
- Wednesday, April 1, 6 pm, Morad Park to Paradise Valley:
- Wednesday, April 15, 6 pm, Edness K. Wilkins State Park:
- Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm, Tate Pumphouse, Golf Course loop:
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
- Wednesday, July 1, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, North Face:
- Wednesday, July 15, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, Beaver Ponds:
- Wednesday, July 29, 6 pm, Casper Mountain, Biathlon:
August 2026
September 2026
16 Types Of Hikes Explained
7 Trails To Hike In Central Wyoming
There’s no doubt about it, the entire state of Wyoming is covered in amazing hiking trails. If you’re visiting central Wyoming here are 7 trails that you should check out. I’ve organized them from easier to harder, ending with Laramie Peak.
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