DAYTON, Wyo. — The Elk Fire is fast approaching the two-week mark of burning the Big Horn National Forest since it was first identified after a lightning strike around Friday. The fire, now 10% contained, is almost 75,000 acres in size and is forcing Sheridan County and the Forest Service to shut down even more roads and rec areas.
In a Facebook update released Tuesday morning, U.S. Forest Service Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough announced the closure of Red Grade Road to the south of the fire in the heart of the Bighorns.
The road, frequented for its access to many scenic hiking and bike trails, is the primary access point to many rec areas to its north but will now be used for heavy equipment traffic. Hiking areas such as the Coney Creek trail, Sawmill Lakes trail, Bear Gulch trail, Springs trail and Red Grade trails should therefore be avoided at this time.
Also in the immediate area to the fire’s south is the Big Goose watershed, which is notable for its role in sourcing Sheridan County’s water. On the county’s website, the county said that the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant is one of two facilities that the water treatment subdivision of the county operates.
“The treatment plants draw water from Big Goose Creek and supplement supply from the Twin Lakes Reservoir during peak use times,” according to the website.
As of Tuesday morning, the Forest Service said that the Big Goose area is “potentially threatened” and crews, which total 829 across the entire effected area, are working to protect both the water system itself and adjacent structures.
Most other closures remain enforced. US Highway 14 is now closed through Dayton all the way to Antelope Butte and east of Lovell. Antelope Butte is notable for its skiing in the winter and is yet another recreational area threatened by the Elk Fire.
Crews are also focusing a lot of attention on the fire’s northeast side, where firefighters continue to improve Pass Creek Road and work to remove flammable material in the area. The western side of the fire, near multiple wildlife management areas and lots of dry vegetation, is currently uncontained.
Another community meeting allowing residents to have face-to-face conversations with Forest Service representatives and hear updates on containment efforts is set to take place at Bighorn High School in Sheridan at 7 p.m. Oct. 9. A video of the meeting will also be posted to the Elk Fire Information YouTube page and the National Forest’s Facebook page following its conclusion.
For more up-to-date information on the Elk Fire as it continues to burn its way across north-central Wyoming, please see the Bighorn National Forest’s Facebook page. Additional information includes containment efforts on the fire’s east side and links to additional resources.
