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Wyoming fire updates: Snow expected over Elk Fire, Pack Trail Fire areas

Crews working in the final days of Pack Trail Fire containment (Bridger-Teton National Forest Facebook)

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — As the fall season progresses and wintry conditions approach, both Bridger-Teton National Forest and Bighorn National Forest fire crews are expecting to be aided by snow in containment efforts for the wildfires that have been inflicting their respective areas.

Elk Fire active yesterday; moisture incoming

Despite the ultimate weather trend recently leaning toward wetter and colder conditions, yesterday was a particularly dry and warm day that gave the Elk Fire near Dayton, Wyoming, an extra boost in activity.

According to the Bighorn National Forest’s most recent Facebook update, helicopters have combatted this by focusing on conducting water drops over vulnerable areas. According to the Forest Service, this did aid in reducing activity.

Efforts on the ground to perform suppression repair with dozers were also successful. The Forest Service estimated that 50% of the dozer line rehabilitation is now completed.

Most closures and restrictions remain in place from the last few days. U.S. Highway 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction is open, though Red Grade Road is not. Beckton Road going south of Dayton is now open, though. To see an interactive map of road closures around the state, see the WYDOT website.

The Elk Fire is 98,352 acres in size and is 80% contained. Additional snowfall would significantly aid in boosting that containment size in ways that human efforts cannot. The fire has been burning for over a month now.

The National Weather Service forecasts that areas near Dayton will experience precipitation as early as tonight, which will carry through all of tomorrow. Wednesday morning also presents a 40% chance of precipitation. After noon Wednesday, a chance of rain won’t come back until Thursday night. Either way, the Bighorn National Forest expects the moisture it does get to be helpful.

Containment map for Elk Fire area for Oct. 28, 2024 (Bighorn National Forest Facebook)

Protection equipment being packed out of area as moisture prepares to fall over Pack Trail Fire

To the west, fire crews working in the Bridger-Teton National Forest area to combat the Pack Trail Fire are expecting similar weather. The Pack Trail Fire is now 89,930 acres strong and 78% contained.

There, the perimeter of the fire is being continuously monitored via cold trailing, a process to verify that a fire is no longer active in a given area by carefully feeling with the hand nearby dirt.

In areas where structures were previously threatened by the fire, crews are disassembling structure protections and clearing out ditches built along fire lines. Deeper into the burn area, helicopters are hauling out heavy equipment.

In the forest’s most recent Facebook update, it still asked that civilians refrain from flying unauthorized drones and aircraft nearby, avoid narrow forest roads if possible, continuously monitor personal fires and always check with WYDOT for road closures before traveling.

This corner of Wyoming is similarly looking forward to wetter conditions. According to the National Weather Service, areas around Dubois, the town nearest to the fire, are expecting significant winter weather. A winter weather advisory is in effect for the area from tonight through Wednesday.

To see how containment progresses in both areas, see the fire’s respective forests’ Facebook pages. The Bighorn National Forest’s Facebook page can be found at this link, while the Bridger-Teton National Forest’s Facebook page can be accessed here.

Containment map for Pack Trail Fire for Oct. 28, 2024 (Bridger-Teton National Forest Facebook)

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