Elk Fire continues to grow within Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest
Officials said flames were moving through areas of the national forest littered with heavy dead and downed timber, and the rough terrain and remote area of the Elk Fire has proved challenging for fire crews to get into and out of the area.
Watch: Smoke from Elk Fire fills sky above Wyoming
A video recorded on Oct. 5 shows plumes of thick smoke filling the sky above Wyoming as the Elk Fire rages inside Bighorn National Forest.
BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST, Wyo. – Hundreds of firefighters are continuing their relentless assault against the massive Elk Fire burning inside Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest as some evacuated residents await word from officials about when they can return home.
The Elk Fire, which officials say was sparked by lightning on Sept. 27 near Riley Point and West Pass continues to grow, and has so far scorched more than 92,000 acres of the pristine landscape.
Containment of the massive wildfire stands as 28% as of Thursday.
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This image shows thick plumes of smoke rising into the air above Wyomings Bighorn National Forest as the Elk Fire continues to rage.
(Bighorn National Forest/Facebook)
Fighting the fire has been challenging for crews as flames move through remote and rough areas of the national forest near the Montana border that are littered with dead and downed trees.
Crews on the ground working to clear debris and other fuels that are helping the fire advance, as well as building containment lines and dousing the flames with water.
While that has been occurring, more than a dozen aircraft have been working to extinguish the flames from above.
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Crews continue working to extinguish the Elk Fire inside Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest.
(Bighorn National Forest/Facebook)
As fire personnel worked to prevent the flames from advancing, some people living in the area were told to evacuate.
Some of those evacuation orders were downgraded from "Go" to "Set" on Monday, but other evacuation orders remain.
Many roads in the area have been closed to allow for fire personnel and local residents to travel safely, for ranchers to move cattle and other animals.
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Flames from the Elk Fire are seen within Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest on Oct. 11, 2024.
(bighornnf/Facebook)
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon visited the area on Sunday and was briefed on how crews were working the fire and protecting vulnerable homes and other infrastructure.
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"Thank you to all County, State and Federal firefighters and emergency personnel who have been working virtually nonstop in challenging conditions," Gordon said in a Facebook post.
So far, there have been no reports of any injuries or deaths associated with the Elk Fire.