The following are unofficial reports from the storm that affected the region ending February 10 Appreciation is extended to Highway Departments Fire officials have relaxed some evacuation notices in the Bighorn National Forest northern Wyoming for the Elk Fire The town of Dayton is has moved to a "Ready" status which is decreased from the previous "Set" status Fire officials have removed the following areas from any evacuation status levels: This includes residences along Smith Creek Road and Columbus Creek Road.· The town of Parkman residents and the residents north of Parkman on both sides the east and west sides of HWY 345 up to the Montana state line.· South of Montana state line to Wy HWY 345 This includes residences in the Parkman Hills Subdivision and residences along the west side of Barker Road The following area has been moved into “SET” evacuation status: · Pass Creek Road from Hwy 345 west to Slack Road and north to the Montana state line This includes the residences along Slack Road South along East Pass Creek Road from its intersection with Pass Creek Rd to the Forest Service boundary continuing east to include the length of Twin Creek Road.· Residences along Amsden Road Residences east of the intersection of Amsden Road and Tongue Canyon Road to the town of Dayton.· Residences east of US Hwy 14 up to the Horseshoe Ranch This includes the Eagle Ridge Subdivision.· West of Beckton Road south of Dayton to Eaton’s Ranch Road west to Eaton’s Ranch Please refer to the evacuation status map on the Sheridan County Emergency Management website (https://www.sheridancountywy.gov/news_detail_T10_R100.php) - Fire crews have established containment on 10% of the Elk Fire burning in the Bighorn National Forest even as the wildfire reportedly grew to nearly 73,000 acres fire officials said the wildfire has been mapped at 72,998 acres A total of 680 personnel are currently assigned to fight the fire and evacuation orders remain in place for many areas affected by the fire Also on Monday the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office announced some cabin owners in the area of Red Grade Road would be allowed into the closed area to retrieve items Key Messages: The fire is now 10% contained The added containment is along the northeast edge of the fire Efforts on the southern end of the fire are focused on taking actions to get ahead of fire movement and protect communities as well as municipal watersheds in the Big Goose drainage that are potentially threatened by the fire Crews will be working using a variety of tools such as structure protection and fireline construction to prepare for future potential fire movement Current Situation: Smoke is settling over the Elk Fire area from fires further to the west This is expected to continue and is likely to keep fire activity lower today This smoke may also impact air operations as helicopters need a minimum of one mile visibility to operate safely on wildland fires Structure protection work will continue northwest of the fire in Little Horn Canyon and subdivisions along US HWY 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction They will be patrolling and mopping up any heat sources around structures Structure protection is accomplished through a variety of methods such as removal of vegetation near structures and placement of hose and sprinklers where possible firefighters will continue to extinguish areas of heat along established firelines Crews will also continue to patrol the area that is now contained crews are implementing strategies intended to protect homes The work includes developing new fireline on Red Grade Road near Bighorn using heavy equipment and several fire crews Structure protection tactics have been utilized to prepare the Big Goose Water Treatment facility for any fire that may move into the area Efforts continue to minimize fire effects to the Big Goose Creek watershed Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority The tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain and medical response time with a focus on implementing plans and tactics that have a high probability of success Approximately 700 cattle were transported off the fire area this morning This was possible through the collaborative efforts of this community and agencies supporting the fire US Highway 14 remains closed from Dayton to Burgess Junction See todays new release regarding temporary access to Red Grade Road for cabin owners Please contact the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 for more information on evacuations and road closures Weather & Smoke Information: Today will continue to bring warm and dry conditions to the fire area as a high pressure system moves into the area Winds are expected to be light and terrain-driven over the course of the day Smoke from fires further to the west may cause smoke shading and keep temperatures lower than the forecasted highs ranging in the mid 60s to low 70s Smoke settles into Sheridan County as Elk Fire continues to grow 2 homes destroyed in Elk fire in northern Wyoming Dayton residents prepare for evacuation as Elk fire grows Fire crews on Elk Fire in Wyoming brace for strong winds 'Families in crisis': Dayton remains on edge as Elk Fire burns in Wyoming Elk Fire in Wyoming reported at nearly 50,000 acres New evacuations ordered at Elk Fire in Wyoming Elk Fire at 32,000 acres, Dayton, Wyoming residents remain cautious Elk Fire in Wyoming estimated at more than 25,000 acres 'Here to help': Parkman Bar and Grill gathers donations to help those fighting Elk Fire Elk Fire in Wyoming grows, evacuations ordered New wildfire reported west of Ranchester in northern Wyoming we wanted to share the unofficial observations taken during the past 24 hours by trained spotters for the National Weather Service This article shows snow totals from different times throughout the evening and not all areas have observations reported: Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 ,Casey Cheesbrough Location: Approximately 6 miles northwest of Dayton and 6 miles southeast of Dayton This smoke may also impact air operations as helicopters need a minimum of one mile visibility to operate safely on wildland fires.  Crews will also continue to patrol the area that is now contained.   which feeds the water treatment facility.  and medical response time with a focus on implementing plans and tactics that have a high probability of success.  Approximately 700 cattle were transported off the fire area this morning This was possible through the collaborative efforts of this community and agencies supporting the fire.   Closures and Evacuations: The newest evacuation map can be found at the Sheridan County Emergency Management website, Sheridan County (sheridancountywy.gov) See today’s new release regarding temporary access to Red Grade Road for cabin owners Please contact the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 for more information on evacuations and road closures.   The Bighorn National Forest Closure has been expanded to include the closure of Red Grade Road. Please view the updated order on the Bighorn National Forest website, Bighorn National Forest – Alerts & Closures (usda.gov).  Smoke from fires further to the west may cause smoke shading and keep temperatures lower than the forecasted highs ranging in the mid 60s to low 70s.  It is anticipated that the Elk Fire will continue to put up a smoke column; please go to the AirNow website (https://www.airnow.gov/)  for smoke information Was this supposed to be 10/7/2024 or what the date reported says The September 27th date is when the fire was first reported and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" More than 900 personnel were working to contain the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming nearly two weeks after the fire started 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 and 1 skidder are currently assigned to the blaze Here's the latest update from fire officials: 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 with 34 of those miles being contained firelines 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 or Story may have noticed more fire activity and smoke yesterday The fire is expected to be active again today 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 a hotshot crew conducted additional firing operations and air operations dropped fire retardant yesterday off the 144 Road 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 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 and more pumps and sprinklers will be installed today Firefighters remain on scene to protect structures and conduct defensive firing operations if needed 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 Slack Road at the Wyoming/Montana state line Soldier Creek Road West from the Wolf Creek and Soldier Creek Road Intersection Big Goose Road from the Intersection of Big Goose Road and Beckton Road An emergency shelter has been established at the fairgrounds in Sheridan and can accommodate numerous people Elk Fire moving south, Big Horn, Wyoming residents comfortable but ready 'Protect your own': Dayton man describes fury of Elk Fire tearing through his neighborhood Sheridan County residents allowed temporary access to mountain road as Elk Fire burns Evacuation notices relaxed for Elk Fire as containment hits 10 percent Calling all veterans and active duty military personnel West Virginia State Parks thanks you for your service we’re offering 10% off all lodge room Just use code VETS10 when you make your reservation and present a valid military ID at check in *Offer is not available at Stonewall Resort State Park A valid military ID must be presented at check in Browse Additional Deals For health and safety updates and information about the free vaccine clinics at West Virginia’s state parks and forests, click here. Veterans Salute Discount: Take 10% off your entire stay with offer code VETS10 The Elk River Trail can also be used for biking Ride along the riverside trail and pass by awe-inspiring views The Elk River Trail provides easy access to the Elk River for canoeing Fishing is permitted in the Elk River with proper licenses. Visit WVdnr.gov to purchase a West Virginia fishing license and the appropriate stamps needed The Elk River Trail is a perfect spot for hikers and backpackers There’s plenty of nature and wildlife to see along the entire length of the trail Duck – MP 40.2 Ivydale – MP 50.5 Dundon/Clay – MP 62.2 Hartland – MP 67.2 To access the Duck trailhead take Servia Exit 46 on I-79 and follow Servia Road for 0.3 miles turn right on WV 4 for 2.5 miles and then left on Bridge to Duck Parking is available by the river for river for river use and by the rail trail for trail use To access the Ivydale trailhead take Big Otter Exit 40 on I-79 and follow WV-16 for 6.5 miles turn right on WV-4 for 0.4 miles and then left over Ivydale Bridge Take a right on Ivydale Ridge Road for 0.2 mile and you will find a large parking area available for trail use To access the Dundon/Clay trailhead take the Wallback./Clay Exit 34 on I-79 follow Wallback Road for 7.4 miles to Clay then turn right Main St for 2.4 miles and make left Triplett Ridge Rod 1.1 miles After crossing the  bridge take an immediate right and then an immediate sharp right on the road down to the large parking area for Elk River Trail To access the Hartland trailhead take the Wallback/Clay Exit 34 on I-79 and follow WV-4 to Clay and WV-16 to Hartland Bridge across the Elk River at the end of the bridge take a sharp left on the road under bridge There is a large parking lot for trail and river use The Duck public river access point is located in the town of Duck a quarter mile south of the Clay-Braxton county line The access point includes a concrete ramp ideal for transporting small boats including canoes and kayaks with concrete steps along the ramp and a pad at the bottom of the ramp for boat entry and exit Fifteen parking spots are available on a gravel lot along the Elk River The parking lot is shared with the Elk River Duck Trailhead Directions to Duck Trailhead and River Access Point: Take I-79 Exit 46 Take Servia Road (CR-11) towards Duck until the road ends at the Elk River Turn right onto State Route 4 south for 0.3 miles The King Shoals public river access point is located 9.5 miles east of Clendenin on State Route 4 near the Kanawha-Clay county line Nine parking spots are available on a gravel lot between Route 4 and the Elk River Directions to King Shoals River Access from Charleston: Take I-79 North to exit 19 Clendenin Turn left onto State Route 4 and follow it for 9.5 miles The location is on your right next to the river The Queen Shoals public access point is nearly 4 miles northeast of Clendenin on State Route 4 near the Queen Road bridge that crosses the Elk River The access point includes a concrete ramp and steps for transporting small boats including canoes and kayaks The bank along the Elk River is level and includes a sand bar where people often swim The Queen Shoals location includes eight parking spots on a dirt lot The road is not rough with both cars and trucks often parked on the lot Additional parking is available at the top of the embankment next to River Haven Road and is just a short walk down the gravel road to the river The public access site is managed by the WV DNR Directions to Queen Shoals River Access from Charleston: Take I-79 North to exit 19 Clendenin Turn right onto 119 South toward Clendenin for 0.3 miles turn left onto State Route 4 and follow it for 4 miles until you reach Queen Road on your right then make an immediate left turn onto River Haven Road The location is on your left down the embankment next to the river The Blue Creek public river access point is located on state route 119 beneath what’s commonly referred to as the Blue Creek bridge At least eight parking spots are available on a gravel lot underneath the bridge Directions to Blue Creek River Access Point: Take I-79 Exit 9 Take Frame Road (CR-11) towards Elkview until the road ends at the stop sign Turn left onto US Route 119 north for 1.3 miles take the dirt road that veers off to the right between the storage business and the homes on the left The Charleston river access point is located at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center A kayak launch ramp is available and kayakers can load their craft into a dry chute sit down in their kayak and then gently launch themselves onto the water Kayakers can enter and exit the river from this launch point which is often difficult in the swift water found at upstream launch points The launch is free for public use daily from 7 a.m and can accommodate single and tandem kayaks Free parking is available at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center’s boat dock Directions to Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center River Access Point Walker Creek Farms and Cabins features rustic cabins canoeing and fishing on the beautiful Elk River You can even fish West Virginia’s infamous “muskie channel” or simply enjoy a tubing or paddling trip with your friends and family Float along the Elk River with a kayak rental from Clay Yak Rentals Tucked away in the hills of West Virginia in Nebo Pizzas and Cream offers  custom brick oven specialty pizzas West Virginia is home to some of the most beautiful and remote areas in the United States Be sure to download your Park Pack for maps and other park information This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page According to the Bighorn National Forest Service the Elk fire is at 25,085 acres as of Monday night Fire managers observed a decrease in fire activity as the wind calmed during the evening The crews worked to secure the north and east portions of the fire ahead of the forecasted wind shift out of the southwest over the next couple of days This is the typical wind pattern for the area The fire burning just west of the town of Dayton remains at zero percent containment September 27 near the Riley Point and West Pass areas of the Bighorn National Forest Lightning is the suspected cause of the fire Fire crews continue to focus on structures protection along the face of the mountain along Pass Creek towards Dayton A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered to take over command of the fire Wyoming Type III will remain in place until a transition can occur These values include firefighter and public safety lands and property off National Forest Lands Out-building structures have likely been lost evacuations have been ordered homes and subdivisions in the vicinity of the fire WYDOT has closed highway 14 from Dayton  to Burgess Junction to all public travel Sheridan County has closed Pass Creek Road and Tongue River Canyon Road to non-resident travel The northern portion of the Tongue Ranger District north of highways 14 and 14a is closed This order is being put in place to protect firefighter and visitor safety The area is being heavily used by firefighters Fire blazes in the early morning hours of Saturday which transitioned to a "Go" evacuation status around 3 a.m This map details evacuation notices for the Elk Fire from Sheridan County Sheriff's Office and Sheridan County government as of 6 a.m The Sheridan Press will also continue to provide comprehensive updates compiling information from all government sources Areas that are in GO or SET will see law enforcement presence Those in SET will not be contacted directly by law enforcement due to capacity • Little Bighorn Canyon and Little Horn Road continuing south to the intersection of Beckton Road to Eatons' Ranch Road south to Big Goose Road and west to Rapid Creek • Eagle Ridge Subdivision and homes directly east of U.S evacuation routes are identified and you are ready to leave if the situation escalates) • Area west of Bear Gulch Trail to Bear Gulch Road continuing in a southeasterly manner to Hidden Valley Road This includes all cabins within the Teepee Cabin group all cabins in the Black Tooth Cabin Association and homes on Lower Hideaway Lane READY (meaning be prepared to evacuate if necessary) • The area west of Bear Gulch Trail to Big Horn Road to Beaver Creek Road to Owl Creek Road and then directly north to Soldier Creek Road and then west to Beckton Road • South of Montana state line to Wyoming Highway 343 This includes residences along Smith Creek Road and Columbus Creek Road east and west sides of Highway 345 to the Montana state line • Parkman Hills Subdivision and residences along the west side of Barker Road • From the intersection of Hidden Valley Road and Highway 335 continuing east to the intersection with Brinton Road continuing in a southeasterly manner along the foothills to Highway 193 east of Story to Tunnel Hill south to the Sheridan County line and then continuing west to the U.S All road closures (with local and emergency personnel access only • Little Goose Canyon Road at the intersection of Red Grade Road • Beckton Hall Road at the intersection with Big Goose Road • Big Horn Road at intersection of Beaver Creek Road • Big Goose is closed at the intersection with Beckton Road • Highway 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction and Shell to Burgess Junction (hard closure • Highway 14A from Lovell to Burgess Junction • Pass Creek Road: County Road 144 from the intersection of Highway 345 and Pass Creek Road) • Twin Creek Road (access off of Railway Avenue in Parkman) • Smith Creek Road (intersection of Highway 343 and Smith Creek Road) • Beckton Road from Dayton to Big Goose is now closed including access from Soldier Creek Road to all except local residents • Little Horn Road south of Montana state line Sheridan County School District #1 has set a tentative schedule for the week as the Elk Fire continues to burn All schools on the Tongue River side of the school district will be closed on Oct recover and be ready for life transitioning out of immediate crisis mode," Superintendent Jeff Jones said in an email to parents Tongue River Elementary and Tongue River Middle school will return to in-person learning on Tuesday and for the remainder of the week If the town of Dayton is still in "set" status on Tuesday Homecoming activities will move forward at TRHS if Dayton is moved from "set" to "ready" status If Dayton remains in "set," then those activities will be postponed The administration from TRHS and TRMS will announce more details tomorrow as the situation evolves Emergency Management Personnel is recommending Slack School not be in person for the next few days although the district will re-evaluate this daily Principal Ryan Fuhrman has been in touch with impacted families and will create an alternative educational plan plan based on each family's circumstances School in Big Horn will be as normal on Monday although the district will continue to monitor the situation hourly and communicate with all District staff and families whenever things change in Big Horn Red Grade cabin owners granted limited access Oct In cooperation with the incident management team the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office and Bighorn National Forest are allowing access for owners of cabins along Red Grade Road Oct This access will only be allowed until 5 p.m. and is only for cabins located along Red Grade Road Cabin owners will need to check-in with law enforcement at the Red Grade Road closure with their official ID plate number and the location and address of the cabin they are visiting Cabin owners must check out with law enforcement before 5 p.m No trailers or heavy equipment will be allowed past the Red Grade Road closure Further opportunities may be available in future days for others interested in retrieving items from the mountain The Elk Fire currently stretches 72,998 acres A total of 597 personnel are fighting the fire six miles northwest of Dayton Smoke is settling over the Elk Fire area from fires further to the west This is expected to continue and is likely to decrease fire activity on Oct This smoke may also impact air operations as helicopters need a minimum of one mile visibility to operate on wildland fires The operational shift on the evening of Oct 5 found heat coming from a structure on the eastern side of the fire; heavy equipment was used to remove burning hay inside a barn The fire was extinguished outside of the structure structure protection work will continue on the northwestern side of the fire in Little Horn Canyon and crews will be looking for favorable conditions to burn unconsumed vegetation south of Hwy 144 crews will continue to extinguish areas of heat along established firelines Crews will continue structure protection work in the subdivisions along US HWY 14 and patrol and mop up any heat sources around structures Efforts are continuing to mitigate fire damage to the Big Goose Creek watershed Fire crews are continuing structure protection work in the Burgess Junction area; this work includes multiple structure preparation techniques such as removal of vegetation near structures Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority as the fire continues Contact the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office at 307-672-3455 or Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 for more information on evacuations and road closures Closures in the Bighorn National Forest have been expanded to include Forest System Roads 14 The closures are in effect to protect firefighter and public safety drying trend over the fire area as a high pressure system moves into the area Smoke that is anticipated to move into the area from fires further to the west may cause smoke shading and keep temperatures lower than the forecasted highs ranging in the mid 60s to low 70s It is anticipated the Elk Fire will continue to put up a smoke column Bighorn National Forest officials said the fire had now reached 76,003 acres burned Sheridan County Sheriff's Office confirmed two primary resident homes were lost early Saturday morning due to the high winds along with increased and unpredictable fire activity in the area of Horseshoe Subdivsion Firefighters were in the area throughout the night and early morning providing structure protection to those homes; during increased erratic fire behavior as the cold front passed early this morning they had to evacuate the immediate area surrounding these structures While officials said they regret the loss of property the number one goal is always the safety of the public and the firefighters The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office deputies notified the landowners and they are currently coordinating with the incident management team liaisons SHERIDAN — The Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough confirmed updates for the Elk Fire Saturday The size of the fire has reached 62,104 acres with 0% contained A total of 584 personnel are working on the fire The fires location has reached six miles northwest of Dayton Fire crews were very busy overnight around the fire perimeter incident command reported Saturday morning The highest fire activity was experienced on the southeastern side of the fire Crews were forced to evacuate from subdivisions along U.S Highway 14 due to extreme fire behavior associated with the cold front passage at approximately 1:30 a.m On the northwest area of the fire crews conducted a quick burning operation along County Road 144 in the vicinity of Gay Creek to stop the spread of the fire This firefighting was done by hotshot crews As fire behavior moderated in the early morning hours crews returned to the area to resume structure protection work Fire behavior is expected to remain high Saturday as winds will likely push fire to the southeast and downslope movement is likely to be seen on the face of the mountain crews will continue to extinguish areas of heat along established firelines; that area did not see movement overnight Crews will continue structure protection work in the subdivisions along U.S Highway 14 now that the fire front has passed by Structure protection work is ongoing in the Burgess Junction area; this work includes multiple structure preparation techniques such as the removal of vegetation near structures and medical response time with a focus on only implementing plans and tactics that have a high probability of success The critical fire weather is primarily due to continued high winds The winds are forecast to continue out of the northwest with speeds 15-25 mph and gusts to 35 mph Saturday morning and into early afternoon Wind speeds are expected to decrease around 6 p.m It is anticipated that the Elk Fire will continue to put up a smoke column; please go to the AirNow website for smoke information Fire activity caused night operations crews to pull out of structure protection work according to Bighorn National Forest officials The forecasted cold front has passed over the area and winds will start to moderate as we move to daybreak and throughout the day Winds will continue to be out of the northwest and start to decrease from 15-30 mph Saturday morning to 15-25 mph into the evening Relative humidity will remain in low 20 percentiles Sheridan County Sheriff's Office issued additional evacuation notices at 3 and 6 a.m Law enforcement will work to contact people in the new evacuation area If the town of Dayton is asked to evacuate Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed Residents are urged to stay informed by following Sheridan County Government and Bighorn National Forest communication channels and be prepared for additional changes grinding or task that can generate a spark during the early morning or late evening times • Avoid using a burn barrel for trash disposal • Keep recreational fires small and late at night as the heat from mufflers and catalytic converters can ignite a fire • Check trailer chains to ensure they do not drag on the pavement and cause sparks • Have a fire extinguisher or water sprayer readily available if working in grassy areas • Smoking only in areas cleared of burnable materials The NWS-Billings office has issued an Air Quality alert for Sheridan County that will remain in effect (pending unforeseen weather changes) until Monday according to Sheridan County Public Health Public Health Response Coordinator Edward Hinzman Friday Sheridan city Air Quality Index (AQI) monitors are showing a shift into the Moderate range with continued air quality deterioration expected throughout the day Friday and into the weekend.For reference recommendations for each AQI range are as follows: Everyone: OK to open windows and go outdoors Unusually sensitive individuals: Consider making outdoor activities light and short in duration Go inside to cleaner air if you develop symptoms (irritation Recommendations for Unhealthy for sensitive groups AQI: Everyone: Consider lighter and shorter outdoor activities Sensitive groups: Go inside to cleaner air if you have symptoms (irritation Everyone: Keep outdoor activities light and short Go inside to cleaner air if you have symptoms Sensitive groups*: Consider moving all activities inside Areas that are now in “Go” or “Set” will see law enforcement presence and will be contacted by law enforcement Go (meaning you will be evacuated from your residence) • Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman Set (meaning start the pre-evacuation process by organizing a plan and packing items) continuing south to the intersection of Beckton Road and Big Goose Road This also includes the area west of Rapid Creek Road Ready (meaning be prepared to evacuate if necessary) • Highway 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction (hard closure •Little Horn Road south of Montana state line "Rural Wyoming relies heavily on volunteer firefighters and right now their resources are being spread thin," Munsick said in his GoFundMe description the Elk Fire in Sheridan County has burned more than 32,000 acres as of Oct 2 and continues to threaten the communities of Parkman and Dayton The lightning-caused fire is being managed by the U.S Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 with approximately 200 personnel currently assigned to the fire 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction will remain closed indefinitely as the fire has crossed the highway at mile marker 76 Mark Gordon has authorized the deployment of the Wyoming National Guard to support the Elk Fire with on-site medevac resources for firefighter safety and use Gordon is responding to the wildfires by directing all available state fire resources to be utilized for active fires and new starts These include Wyoming State Forestry helicopter and helitack firefighters Much of Wyoming is under Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watch conditions which could result in new fire starts and a need for initial attack resources The state is also cooperating with the U.S Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management statewide who are providing additional aviation resources and engines are also being directed for suppression response The fire has been active on the west side Friday and is putting up heavy smoke as it is burning in heavy timber along the Dry Fork drainage This portion of the fire is actively moving to both the southwest and northwest The northeastern side of the fire has shown little fire activity in most areas thus far and is not moving actively The fire is burning patches of timber in the Tongue River Canyon; these areas are within the current fire perimeter And resources are confident lines in this area will hold There has been an increase in activity west of Steamboat Point near Cutler Creek Air resources are being used heavily to slow spread toward Highway 14 and structures in that area Additional evacuations were ordered earlier in the day for the Eatons’ Ranch area Airtankers have been dropping retardant throughout the day to slow fire spread in this area The city of Sheridan is deploying additional resources to protect the city’s water treatment plants during the ongoing Elk Fire City staff has cleared extra vegetation around the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant and the intake site to reduce the fire risk Forest Service has also allocated extra resources to safeguard this facility ensuring residents and Sheridan Area Water System (SAWS) customers continue to have a supply of clean water the Elk Fire Incident Command has prioritized the entire water system as an infrastructure protection priority The Sheridan water intake supplies water to both the Big Goose and the Sheridan water treatment plants which in turn provides freshwater to residents of the City of Sheridan and to SAWS customers The Big Goose Water Intake Facility is expected to be able to continuously provide water to the Sheridan plant regardless of the Elk Fire’s impact The Big Goose Water Treatment Plant is situated in such a way as to minimize the risk of fire and can be operated remotely with redundant systems the impact will be minimal as the Sheridan Water Treatment Plant has the ability to back-flow water as far as Beckton Hall Road While the freshwater treatment system is not currently in danger the City of Sheridan is taking precautions to ensure a calm and organized response in the event the facilities are impacted There is currently no requirement for residents to take any special measures but the city recommends residents remain vigilant throughout the weekend and keep abreast of updates The City of Sheridan and all of its partner organizations are committed to providing updates as more information becomes available ensuring citizens are always informed about the situation DAYTON — Fire activity on the Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest remained fairly quiet overnight Thursday but in preparation for incoming weather — forecasted high winds and high temperatures Friday and Saturday — Sheridan County Sheriff's Office issued increased evacuation statuses for a wider area in Sheridan County and fire crews prepped areas to preserve structures The Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 will utilize all 528 personnel to fight fires Friday and Saturday The fire remains at 0% containment and consumed 51,115 acres thus far A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Friday at noon until Saturday at 6 p.m The forecast includes temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s and relative humidity in the teens Winds are forecast to shift from the southeast to southwest and west during the day the winds are expected to shift to be out of the northwest and gusting up to 50 mph; this is associated with the passage of a cold front it is likely there will be an increase to the size of the fire Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office has placed a few new areas into new evacuation status to give residents time to plan ahead Thursday evening A similar weather pattern occurred over the fire area last weekend Columbus Creek Road is closed at the intersection of Wyoming Highway 343 and Columbus Creek Road the incident management team on the Elk Fire is making full use of its air resources There are varying sizes of airtankers used in wildland firefighting The Elk Fire has had various resources attached: single engine airtankers Friday, multiple large airtankers were used to drop retardant on the Elk Fire. A large airtanker can hold up to 3,000 pounds and a very large airtanker can drop 9,400 lbs. A video shows airtankers dropping retardant in the area of Eatons' Ranch and the Wolf Creek drainage there are 10 helicopters assigned to this fire and are being utilized to drop water in areas to assist firefighters on the ground; these air assets will be used as long as possible Friday Red Grade Road 26 in the Bighorn National Forest is being heavily used at this time Bighorn National Forest Public Affairs Specialist Sara Evans Kirol said in a release Friday If you decide to remove equipment such as campers from open areas on Forest it is not recommended to park your property in another location on the Forest The Elk Fire closure remains in effect and access is not being granted to anyone outside of firefighting and law enforcement personnel Keep in mind that closure boundaries could change Red Grade Road 26 remains open at this time it could be closed at a later point to support firefighting efforts on the Elk Fire Consider taking alternative routes to the west and around to avoid Red Grade congestion Working with the team managing the Elk Fire the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office has placed a few new areas into new evacuation status to give residents time to plan ahead This has been done in advance of incoming weather with forecasted high winds to start tomorrow afternoon and continue into Saturday • South of Montana state line to Wy HWY 343 Columbus Creek Road is closed at the intersection of Wy HWY 343 and Columbus Creek Road Updates from the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 Thursday morning showed large growth in the lightning-caused Elk Fire near Dayton Wednesday now totaling 49,555 acres burned with 0% containment and 200 personnel working to preserve human life first and structures second windy weather is anticipated to start Friday afternoon and continue into Saturday which will likely bring increased fire activity and spread The fire was less active overnight due to cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity over the fire Bear Gulch East and Aspens Trailheads at the Sheridan Community Land Trust's Red Grade Trails system are closed in accordance with the U.S Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest closures related to the Elk Fire The land trust asks that community members not use the trails or the trailheads until the closure is lifted Base and Springs Trailhead at Red Grade Trails remain open as do all trails on the Soldier Ridge Trail System and The Green Room Trail The Big Horn National Forest has extended the forest closure and is now closed from Red Grade Road north Stage 2 fire restrictions are now in effect in the national forest Complex Incident Management Team 3 officials confirmed fire at Sibley Lake and campground Officials could not confirm start time or size but confirmed that fire in the Sibley area is part of the larger Elk Fire The team is working on a larger fire update this afternoon middle school and Slack School will be closed Oct 3 and there will be no virtual online expectation for schooling TRE and TRMS will dismiss as normal at 4 p.m Sheridan County School District 1 Superintendent Jeff Jones held a Zoom meeting with a large group of administrators and supervisory staff from across the district Jones gathered information regarding the current status of the school district as a result of the fire the impact is getting more and more difficult to manage growing number of staff members absent because they are either fighting the fire needing to leave to get to Dayton so they can prepare for the potential of an evacuation are incredibly shaken because in one way or another they are greatly impacted by what is happening at this moment,” Jones said in an email to SCSD1 staff and families All activities on the Tongue River side are canceled for the balance of the week and weekend This includes practices as well as home and away games Efforts will be made to reschedule the events “There are scenarios where we simply don’t have bus drivers We also don’t want students to be coming in and out of the parking lot at TRHS to get things to get to a practice or game,” Jones said in an email to district staff and families it doesn’t make sense to be playing a ballgame out of town while your family’s home is in jeopardy of burning down Every effort will be made to reschedule events.” For families who need extra time to prepare things in Dayton there will be staff at TRE and TRMS who are willing to stay longer after school with children The district also has extra space near the bus barn in Ranchester if people need extra space for campers Here are the most recent evacuation orders The Sheridan County Sheriff has increased the evacuation status of both the Eagle Ridge Subdivision and the residences directly adjacent to the east of U.S to “Set.” If you are in either of these areas please take the time now to gather up important things and be prepared to evacuate if notified The town of Dayton has been placed in a “Ready," or pre-evacuation take the time now to think about what you would want to take with you or where you might go if the Town of Dayton is put into a “Set” status • Town of Parkman residents and residents of north of Parkman on both the east and west sides of Highway 345 up to the Montana state line are now under a pre-evacuation or This does not include the Hersey Road area Residents in the “ready” stage should be prepared to evacuate if necessary Emergency personnel have contacted all affected residents directly The town of Dayton is not under a pre-evacuation notice or “ready” status at this time The Elk Fire grew to 32,069 acres burned with no containment as of 9 p.m Additional air and ground resources arrived Tuesday to assist in fire control efforts "It's important to note the effectiveness of air support is dependent on wind conditions and smoke coverage," Sheridan County Emergency Management Coordinator Jesse Ludikhuize said in a press release Residents in Dayton and Ranchester areas should expect to see a significant increase in emergency vehicles Highway 14 from Dayton to Burgess Junction remains closed and all other closures from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to Forest Service roads — see below — remain in effect "We're working diligently to minimize the impact on the community while keeping everyone informed," Ludikhuize said "Please continue to respect evacuation notices and obey all road closures It is crucial to stay out of the fire area to allow emergency personnel to work without obstruction." Highway 14 closure will be continually evaluated and adjustments will be made as conditions allow The road remains closed due to thick smoke fire conditions and the need to ensure the safety of emergency responders The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Wednesday from 9 a.m signifying critical fire weather conditions six non-primary residential structures have been destroyed outhouses and other non-primary residential buildings All affected property owners have been notified by emergency personnel One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday requiring transport to Sheridan Memorial Hospital where the person is currently receiving treatment Wyoming Type 3 Team transferred management of the fire to Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 at 7 p.m The Complex Incident Management Team 3 will host a public meeting Wednesday at Tongue River Middle School — relocated from Tongue River High School Wednesday at 11 a.m due to growing evacuation concerns in Dayton — starting at 7 p.m The in-person meeting will be recorded and published later by the team who will make themselves available to answer questions and address public concerns related to the fire The new incident management team assumed operational control Monday at 7 p.m. The group will establish a public contact number No donations of food or supplies are needed for firefighters or emergency personnel at this time Emergency management personnel contacted SCSD1 Superintendent Jeff Jones at 12:15 a.m and advised that students and staff at Tongue River High School only to go online Wednesday “I will continue to stay in touch as I get more information in the morning,” Jones said in an email to SCSD1 staff and families “Please continue to pray for our firefighters emergency responders and all of the families impacted.” Sheridan County YMCA will provide shower passes for anyone displaced by the Elk Fire Check in with the front desk with your information and mention the fire relief effort the Y is providing space for parking campers call and ask for availability and fill out a form at the front desk to check in Those needing a place to take livestock or a place to stay in a camper may evacuate to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds If you need a place to stay and you are evacuated contact Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 Emergency Management officials said staff will work with any resident that has pets to ensure they are also sheltered Due to the rapidly changing conditions of the Elk Fire evacuation orders have been issued for Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman the Town of Parkman residents and residents of north of Parkman The Town of Dayton is not under a pre-evacuation notice or “ready” status at this time DAYTON — Because of worsening fire conditions near Dayton Sheridan County School District 1 is being advised to have students and staff at Tongue River High School to stay online Oct and advised that students and staff at TRHS only to go online Wednesday DAYTON — Evacuations have been ordered for all the residences on Pass Creek Road between East Pass Creek and Twin Creek Road and from the X bar X Ranch north to the state line The ranch is located at 846 Pass Creek Road in Parkman DAYTON — Fire suppression efforts continue The latest update includes additional acreage burned a scheduled public meeting and Tongue River High School students returning to in-person instruction The Elk Fire grew to 32,069 acres burned with no containment as of 9 p.m where the person is currently receiving treatment The Complex Incident Management Team 3 will host a public meeting Wednesday at Tongue River High School in Dayton Tongue River High School students will return to the physical classroom Wednesday "The situation has significantly improved near the high school and there is a presence of personnel and equipment (on the ground and in the air) in that area which has reduced the level of risk," Sheridan County School District 1 superintendent Jeff Jones said in a Oct "Obviously we will continue to monitor the situation we will adjust as needed and that will be communicated out to all staff and families." several buses and drivers will be stationed at Tongue River High School during the school day This will allow the district to evacuate the school in a matter of minutes if necessary Sports practices at the high school will resume on the afternoon of Oct The district will monitor the air quality for outdoor activities assuring students with breathing issues minimize exposure or be excused all together from practices outside if that is what they need If you are a parent of a child in this situation please reach out to your child's principal or coach if you have questions or concerns The Slack School will continue online schooling on Oct The Defense Health Agency announced TRICARE beneficiaries in Sheridan County may receive emergency prescription refills now through Oct To receive an emergency refill of prescription medications TRICARE beneficiaries should take their prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy If the bottle is unavailable or the label is damaged or missing beneficiaries should contact Express Scripts or their retail network pharmacy for assistance To find a network pharmacy, beneficiaries may call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303, or search the network pharmacy locator visit the pharmacy where the prescription was filled PARKMAN — The Elk Fire continues to burn across the Bighorn mountain range stretching from Pass Creek Road to the Dayton area Sheridan County School District 1 Superintendent Jeff Jones said Tongue River High School will remain closed Tuesday due to the fire “There is going to be a lot of action with equipment and personnel moving in the Tongue River High School area (so) emergency personnel has asked that we keep students and staff at TRHS out again (Tuesday),” Jones said All students from Tongue River High School will attend classes online According to the latest report from the Bighorn National Forest Service the latest routes to be restricted to local residence traffic are: County Road 144 (from intersection of Highway 345 and Pass Creek Road) • Smith Creek Road (Intersection of Highway 343 and Smith Creek Road) Highway 14 between Dayton and Burgess Junction (as of 7 a.m Evacuations remain in place along these routes Law enforcement and fire personnel are asking people to respect the closures on Pass Creek Road along with other restrictions listed the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Incident Command are concerned for the safety of the traveling public campers and residents of the Burgess Junction area and are asking those individuals to evacuate the area A Bighorn National Forest Closure Order is in place for firefighter and public safety The area closed is the area north of US Highway 14 and east of the border of the Medicine Wheel Ranger District and the Tongue Ranger District Individuals with properties or personal belongings accessible from U.S The Bighorn Forest Service and WYDOT are asking the public to avoid any unnecessary travel or parking in the area that may impede in the ongoing efforts to suppress this fire The Wyoming Highway Patrol will be operating gates at Dayton and Burgess Junction It is unknown how long the closure will last Cooler temperatures helped firefighting efforts Monday According to a report from the Wyoming Type 3 Team Tuesday morning the fire has burned approximately 25,085 acres and is 0% contained one Type 3 helicopter and two air attack battling the blaze firefighting operations focused on the northern and eastern sides of the fire with crews working to remove vegetation by use of hand tools and strategically putting fire on the ground to consume vegetation Air resources were used to assist ground operations and ensure for firefighter safety firefighters will continue to build fire line around the fire The strategy being implemented on this fire is full suppression and the tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-60s on the fire area Tuesday with winds changing to be out of the southwest and relative humidity around 18% The shift in wind may cause the fire to be active in different areas than Monday Montana-Dakota Utilities employees are monitoring the effects of the Elk Fire on services in Sheridan County MDU officials said the business has been asked to be ready to shut off power to the area and officials are determining the best course of action if gas systems must be shut off Wildfires can cause downed power lines, which are extremely dangerous. If you see downed power lines, stay away from the line and call MDU at 800-638-3278. Further information can be found online MDU staff are unable to access the affected area to assess and repair power outages Staff will address the power infrastructure as soon as it is safe to do so MDU staff is actively monitoring the fire in the area and will conduct damage assessments as soon as conditions allow to safely do so and has now traveled southward to the Big Horn area had burned more than 87,000 acres as of … Email notifications are only sent once a day View more offers! Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox every afternoon Find out what's happening with the latest events in our community Receive occasional local offers from our website and its advertisers summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account - A weather system brought rain and snow - and some relief to fire crews - as containment reached 44 percent on the Elk Fire burning in the Bighorn National Forest Firefighting efforts were delayed Friday morning due to safety reasons but fire officials said the wildfire did not see any growth overnight and remained at an estimated 96,179 acres On Thursday morning fire officials estimated containment at 28 percent The number of fire personnel assigned to the incident has also been reduced from just over 900 in recent days to 714 on Friday The Sheridan County Sheriff's Office posted this notice Friday regarding evacuation status changes: The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office and Incident Command are working closely together to reevaluate the evacuation status levels for the areas in proximity to the Elk Fire With the welcome precipitation yesterday and overnight and expected fire behavior The following area has been downgraded to a “Set” status: - The area West of Slack Road and East Pass Creek Road including the Northwest section of Pass Creek Rd to the Montana line This also includes the Little Horn Canyon Cabins Red Grade area- the area west of Bear Gulch Trail to Bear Gulch Road continuing in a southeasterly manner to Hidden Valley Road continuing south to the US Forest Service boundary - Highway 335 at the Intersection of Brinton Road will open today - Red Grade Road at the winter closure point will remain a hard closure Only fire personnel and law enforcement will be allowed in that area Officials will continue to monitor fire behavior and assess the need to change any evacuation levels and road closures on an as needed basis We encourage everyone to monitor the Sheridan County Facebook page and the Sheridan County website for the most up-to-date information Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of all residents Sheridan County Emergency Management Phone: 307-752-2174 The Elk Fire hotline number is: 307-303-7642 27 by lightning and was fueled by higher-than-normal temperatures forcing numerous evacuations A weather system moved in Thursday and brought up to an inch of rain to some areas of the fire Snow was predicted overnight up to 5 inches in some areas RELATED: Blessing to have': Sheridan County residents relieved by rain during Elk Fire Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) 3 under the leadership of Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough will transfer command of the incident to Rocky Mountain CIMT 1 under the leadership of Incident Commander Dan Dallas Team 3 greatly appreciates the outpouring of support and gratitude expressed by residents and communities affected by the fire firefighters were housed at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds and Sheridan County Community College because of the ongoing winter-weather event “This situation is pretty challenging and really dynamic with the inclement weather but we will always be proactive with taking care of our firefighters,” said Casey Cheesbrough The decision to put firefighters back on the fireline today will be evaluated throughout the day Those crews assessing the fire and road conditions will do so from hard-surface roads to minimize damage to gravel and dirt roads and trails saturated with recent precipitation Click here for more wildfire coverage from Q2 News The Sheridan County Sheriff increased the evacuation status of residential areas near the Elk Fire late Wedensday morning and the town of Dayton has been placed on evacuation "Ready" status Here's the full update from the U.S. Forest Service - Big Horn National Forest Facebook page: The Sheridan County Sheriff has increased the evacuation status of both the Eagle Ridge Subdivision and the residences directly adjacent to the east of US Highway 14 The Town of Dayton has been placed in a “Ready” status There is an evacuation center being set up at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds at 1753 Victoria St. This evacuation center will take large and small animals as well as have the ability to house people you may bring your camper to the fairgrounds as well Please ensure you check in with staff upon arrival This evening’s community meeting is being moved to the Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester at 1251 Dayton St. Changing location will increase safety for fire responders and local community members in Dayton by decreasing traffic into town New evacuations were ordered early Wednesday for the Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest "due to rapidly changing conditions." Sheridan County Emergency Management said residents in the areas of Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman and Tongue River Canyon west of Dayton and the latest update estimated its size at about 32,000 acres fire officials reported a firefighter was injured Here's the full notice posted on the Sheridan County Government Facebook page: WY – Due to the rapidly changing conditions of the Elk Fire evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas:• Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman• Tongue River Canyon west of Dayton Residents in these areas are required to evacuate immediately please contact Sheridan County Emergency Management We will work with any resident that has pets to ensure they are also sheltered town of Parkman residents and residents north of Parkman on both the east and west sides of Highway 345 up to the Montana state line are now under a pre-evacuation or "Ready" notice Residents in this "Ready" stage should be prepared to evacuate if necessary The Town of Dayton is NOT under a pre-evacuation notice or “ready” status at this time School Closures:• Tongue River High School is closed today (October 2 All students and staff have been notified by school administration.• Slack School is also closed We encourage everyone to monitor the Sheridan County Facebook page and the Sheridan County website for the most up-to-date information.Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of all residents A fire information number has been established Please call 307-303-7642 with any questions Sheridan County Web Site: https://www.sheridancountywy.gov/ A community meeting for those directly impacted by the Elk Fire will be held at 7 p.m at the Tongue River High School located at 1150 Main Street in Dayton This in-person meeting will be recorded and published on the U.S Forest Service Bighorn National Forest’s Facebook page A suppression repair group has been working in several locations along the face of the Bighorns fixing fencing that was cut during dozer line implementation Crews are using hand tools to cut through and flatten dozer line berms and even building water bars on repaired line to help channel water off the line to reduce erosion The Sheridan Press provides comprehensive updates on the Elk Fire Sheridan County government and all other official sources attacking the Elk Fire expected future precipitation and no fire activity the Elk Fire has been called 100% contained The last remaining areas to be contained were in steep remote locations that were difficult for crews to access time was needed for moisture and cold temperatures to do their work in ensuring the threat was gone Community members are encouraged to use caution while traveling Red Grade Road 26 and expect delays and congestion from logging equipment as they move log decks from Forest System Road 26 It is best to avoid the Red Grade area until mid-December The logs are being moved to improve public safety and to reduce the fuels left behind from fire line construction Temporary closures on Tongue River Canyon Trail 002 These routes will be closed until treatments can be implemented to reduce post-fire risks caused by the Elk Fire visit the Bighorn National Forest’s website at fs.usda.gov/bighorn Elk Fire containment has increased to 97% Wednesday With this and the removal of remaining heavy equipment the Elk Fire closure area in the Bighorn National Forest will lift Saturday please be prepared for winter-like conditions Remember that wheeled motorized vehicles are not to be on designated snowmobile trails 9 logging trucks will move log decks along Red Grade Road 26 west toward Highway 14 to the Copper Creek Gravel Pit off Forest System Road 652 This is a more suitable location where the logs will be out of the way of traffic and is a better place for commercial sale Please use caution driving on the road and anticipate this traffic SHERIDAN — The fire remains at 88% containment as of Nov according to fire officials via an update on Facebook Sunday The uncontained sections along the southwest and northwest edges have not shown any signs of fire activity or smoke since the snowfall on Oct Without the ability to get firefighters into the area to confirm that the edge is cold operations leaders are being conservative in their approach to evaluating containment There still remains a potential that the fire could become active again if additional snowfall does not arrive Heavy equipment crews continue to make progress on the fuel break being constructed along the Red Grade Road with a goal of completing the work near Twin Lakes by Friday Red Grade Road was partially opened on Saturday from the eastern boundary of the forest up to Big Goose Road 296 It remains closed west of Big Goose Road until the fire control line is finished The forest is evaluating the hauling of log decks left behind after this operation ends Of concern is public safety during log hauling operations now or if delayed until next summer but the log decks are planned for future sale and are not available for firewood gathering The deck haul group is using logging trucks to transport logs along Dayton Gulch Road 15 to a staging area south of Fool Creek Basin Motorists should use extreme caution on the 15 road This work should be complete by Tuesday evening Any wood remaining along the road after hauling will be available for public firewood with a permit The modified Bighorn National Forest closure reduces the closure area to a smaller footprint 02-02-06-24-08 and the related map can be viewed online at fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices SHERIDAN — The Elk Fire increased to 88% containment and remained at 98,352 acres burned Thursday with officials modifying the Bighorn National Forest closure and opening Red Grade Road Because of reduced fire threat and progress made by crews creating indirect fireline the Bighorn National Forest closure area has been reduced to a smaller footprint Most forest system lands north of Highway 14 and west of Black Mountain Road 16 are now open to entry the section of Red Grade Road from the eastern forest boundary up to its intersection with Big Goose Road 296 will reopen Saturday at 7 a.m Red Grade Road west of Big Goose Road will remain closed for the near future while heavy equipment operators continue working to create indirect fireline Black Mountain Road 16 remains closed between Red Grade Road and Highway 14 due to heavy equipment operations The additional containment along a section of the Southwest edge above Soldier Creek and along the northwest edge near Red Canyon Creek due to recent snowfall With the snowfall ended and conditions clearing graders have been able clear roads for equipment to access their worksites along Red Grade Road where indirect fireline is under construction Icy roads and accumulating snow prevented crews from reaching the area on Tuesday and Wednesday The heavy equipment will be up and running again today clearing trees along Red Grade Road to create current and future fire control lines to protect the Sheridan municipal watershed and nearby structures Working at lower elevations less impacted by snow the suppression repair group was able to make progress with projects along the front range of the Bighorns firefighters with hand tools took on the challenge building water bars across a steep stretch of repaired dozer line in the eastern section of the fire area Their work will help channel water off of the repaired line Crews will also be repairing fences that were damaged by fire suppression activities The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has reopened the Amsden Creek and Kerns wildlife habitat management areas in northern Sheridan County The properties had been closed to public access due to impacts from the Elk Fire The Amsden Creek and Kerns WHMAs will be open to nonmotorized use only The areas will also adhere to the annual seasonal closure dates that have been in place for decades to protect wintering wildlife from disturbance Members of the public are cautioned that road and fence repairs fireline rehabilitation and other post-fire activities will be taking place on these properties in the coming weeks Significant portions of the properties were burned and users are also cautioned there is the potential for falling trees loose rocks and debris and other safety concerns The Tongue River Canyon Public Access Area will remain closed at this time Other properties outside the fire perimeter have also reopened and Sheridan County Walk in Area #12 for public hunting This hunting area is privately-owned property so hunters are asked to respect the land and the landowner and adhere to all rules and regulations for the area Thursday weather will be mostly sunny with maximum temperatures from 31-37 degrees Fahrenheit with occasional gusts of around 15-20 at higher elevations Humidity levels increase tonight with a slight chance of rain The Elk Fire closure in the Bighorn National Forest has been reduced to a smaller footprint with a portion of Red Grade Road set to reopen to the public on Nov including South Piney Trail 626 and Story-Penrose Trail 033 Red Grade Road 26 from the eastern Forest boundary to its junction with Big Goose Road 296 near Big Goose Ranger Station will open Saturday with fire suppression repair continuing on Red Grade Road 26 to its junction with Black Mountain Road 16 both roads will remain closed until operations are complete If you are leaving ruts in the road or trail you are causing resource damage and should not continue Visit another day when conditions are better and your use does not damage the route or your vehicle Most forest system lands north of Highway 14 and east of Black Mountain Road 16 are now open to entry There are still temporary closures on Tongue River Canyon Trail 002 Road closures continue on Forest System Roads 149 These routes will be closed until post-fire hazards caused by the elk fire are able to be assessed and treatments can be implemented Elk Fire containment remains steady Wednesday morning at 81% and 98,352 acres The lightning-caused fire has been burning since Sept Precipitation continues to fall over the fire area Wednesday morning and there are several inches of snow on the ground at higher elevations Crews are staged at the incident command post this morning until conditions allow them to travel out to their work locations in the fire area Two graders are standing by to clear the route into Red Grade Road from the west side to allow the equipment group personnel access Due to weather conditions and related hazards yesterday Suppression repair crews and heavy equipment operators were not sent out to the lines The equipment group will continue its work to widen defensible space on Red Grade Road They are using logging equipment to clear trees and create a fuel break to provide fire control options for protecting communities and area watersheds The Suppression Repair group will focus on projects at lower elevations in the front range including fence repair and knocking down berms from dozer line and creating water bars on repaired line The goal of suppression repair is to return areas disrupted by firefighting suppression tactics to the way they were before the fire The storm system will be winding down today High temperatures over the fire area will be in the upper 20’s to lower 30’s with light winds out of the south and southwest Tonight will be partly cloudy and very cold with low temperatures of between eight and 12 degrees The incident management team is working with the Bighorn National Forest and the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office to reduce closers on public lands and roads as quickly as possible Forest Service firefighter Jon Warder will lead management on the Elk Fire starting 7 a.m as Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 will serve its last day in the Bighorn National Forest Monday The lightning-caused Elk Fire — which started Sept 27 — has consumed 98,352 acres of the Bighorn National Forest and is 82% contained Warder leads the Wyoming Interagency Incident Management Type 3 Team Some personnel from the current team will be retained to implement a smooth transition and to complete fire objectives firefighters were prepared for elevated fire behavior and resulted in active burning with a pronounced smoke column near Soldier Creek (Division H) Firefighters received helicopter support through water drops resulting in an increase in containment to 82% Firefighters also continued suppression repair activities aided by heavy equipment with about 50% of dozer line rehabilitation now finished weather conditions will squelch fire activity as snow and rain totals could be as high as 14 inches and 1 inch firefighters will be working to complete imminent tasks and secure unresolved tasks for possible resumption after the storm or next spring clouds will move in and temperatures will be cooler with a 30% chance of precipitation rising to 80% overnight temperatures will vary by elevation at 40-50 degrees and winds will be 7-12 mph with gusts up to 20 mph fire activity will be lessened from yesterday although some activity is possible if sunlight persists long enough to warm dry fine fuels near a heat source A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Elk Fire Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft Highway 14 between Burgess Junction and Dayton is open and restrictions are in place for some commercial vehicles based on weight and size Additional information is available at wyroad.info The closure order for the Bighorn National Forest remains in effect and can be seen in full online at fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices Division A: Aircraft patrol of this unstaffed division is ongoing I: Suppression repair in Division I was completed Sunday and was ongoing in other divisions outstanding work will remain after Monday in both Divisions M/P and K Firefighters will focus on completing tasks where they can and securing incomplete work Division H: The active burning of an unburned interior island resulted in more pronounced smoke and required water drops by helicopters to cool flames This increased fire activity validated the importance of the shaded fuel break work on the Red Grade Road and Forest Road 26 which will continue as weather permits today F: Containment increased on the north end and suppression repair was completed on contained fireline Work on Forest Road 15 continues as firefighters strive to connect uncontained fireline The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that all evacuation statuses related to the Elk Fire have been lifted No areas within Sheridan County remain under any form of evacuation Several roads will remain closed to ensure the safety of local residents and ongoing firefighting efforts The following roads are restricted to local residents and fire personnel only: Twin Creek Road at Parkman access; Smith Creek Road closed at the dry weather road; Tongue Canyon Road at the Amsden Creek Road intersection; Amsden Road; Little Goose Canyon Road; and PK Lane at the intersection of Beckton Road Red Grade Road at the winter closure is still under a hard closure meaning that only fire personnel are permitted in these areas both vehicles and pedestrians are prohibited from accessing this location due to heavy fire equipment in operation Sheridan County will no longer be issuing daily fire updates unless there are changes to road closures or other significant developments Containment on the Elk Fire increased from 52% Thursday to 58% Friday The total acreage of the lightning-caused fire currently sits at 96,935 acres on Friday morning a small jump from 96,370 acres as of Thursday The small increase in acres is due to more accurate mapping lower elevations received up to a quarter inch of rain while higher elevations received 1-3 inches of snow These moist conditions resulted in slick and muddy roads presenting an increased hazard to firefighters firefighters made progress increasing containment as fire activity continued to be minimal suppression repair operations were completed on the north side and additional progress was made on east side dozer lines Heavy equipment operations also continued strengthening indirect firelines Today will begin a warming and drying trend expected to last through Sunday allowing for accelerated progress as roads dry out and the possibility for fire activity increases Several recent precipitation events across the fire over the last week have kept fire activity low as fine fuel moistures were high allowing fire activity to pick up slightly Smoldering and creeping is also likely in heavy fuels (trees and logs) where moisture levels are low and heat has been retained Firefighters will continue to focus on suppression repair supported with heavy equipment across several divisions while also securing uncontained firelines temperatures will rise more than 10 degrees from Thursday and will be in the upper 40s at higher elevations and range from 65-75 degrees in lower elevations Humidity will be in the 30-40% range and winds will be light Fire activity will be minimal with some smoldering Friday but the fire will generally be struggling to burn due to retained moisture from yesterday’s precipitation Given firefighter progress made on suppressing fire activity it is unlikely the Elk Fire will grow significantly fire managers will begin taking steps to align the firefighting workforce with expected fire behavior and the remaining work This will include releasing some resources and transitioning to local leadership while ensuring continuity of objectives and actions The meeting will be recorded and posted to Facebook and virtual connection will be available through Facebook live streaming at: https://www.facebook.com/bighornnf Containment of the Elk Fire grew slightly from 51% on Wednesday to 52% on Thursday morning The lighting-caused fire remains at 96,370 acres fire activity remained consistent with the past few days with no perimeter growth due to elevated humidity and recent precipitation Firefighters took advantage of these conditions by continuing indirect fireline construction and conducting suppression repair operations fire behavior will once again be sluggish due to high humidity firefighters will use extra caution as they continue work of the last several days This will include building toward further extension and strengthening of uncontained firelines while also focusing on suppression repair The bulk of heavy equipment resources will be working to establish fireline along the southwestern edge by creating defensible space on the Red Grade Road and Forest Road 26 humidity was approximately 100% as much of the fire received some rain or snow These conditions will persist through this morning with afternoon temperatures warming above 50 degrees humidity remaining high and light winds with gusts about 20 mph fire activity will remain minimal throughout the day due to the increased moisture levels weather will warm and dry promoting burning with some visible smoke Another front will move through early next week The Elk Fire Burned Area Emergency Response assessment team has been working within the Elk Fire perimeter to evaluate conditions to determine the level of potential risks to human life critical natural and cultural-heritage resources on National Forest System Lands The team will generate a soil burn severity map using a Burned Area Reflectance Classification map from satellite imagery and field surveys that ground truth the map The Elk Fire BAER team is comprised of soil scientists archaeologists and geographic information specialists Some are local and some have traveled here to assist the team will determine if there are measures that can be implemented in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks due to post-fire conditions such as potential flooding and debris flow events The team’s findings and recommendations to the Forest Supervisor will be presented in a final report The report identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address potential post-fire risks to human life and safety cultural heritage and critical natural resources on National Forest System lands Agency Administrators in coordination with the incident management team have developed a process to allow owners of recreational equipment such as campers to retrieve their personal property To gain access to the closure area for this purpose the following form must be filled out: forms.office.com/g/P7vrvgQW5d Those needing access along Red Grade Road to retrieve their property must enter the Bighorn National Forest from the east near Big Horn but must exit west on Red Grade Road 26 to Highway 14 No trailers will be allowed to travel down Red Grade Road toward Big Horn Areas near active fire zones will have restricted access Please follow all instructions given by fire personnel or law enforcement officers Road hazards may be present in and around the burn areas Use caution when driving and check your overhead clearance for obstacles Hunting and overnight stays are strictly prohibited within the forest closure area This may be the only opportunity to retrieve recreational vehicles or campers before winter and the forest area may remain closed through the winter Additional details regarding entry into the area will be emailed to those who will be allowed into the closure area The Elk Fire Incident Command Post's move to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds will be completed today allowing for a centralized location in closer proximity to ongoing work Motorists are reminded to drive with caution and be alert for firefighters traveling and working along roads Highway 14 where motorists should also expect travel delays as repair work is ongoing US Highway 14 between Burgess Junction and Dayton is open although restrictions are in place for some commercial vehicles based on weight and size Red Grade Road and County Road 89 from Dayton to Beckton Junction are closed County Road 335 is closed from the intersection of County Road 335 and Brinton Road to the west Additional closure information may be obtained at wyoroad.info Elk Fire containment stayed steady from Tuesday to Wednesday and the lightning-caused fire's total acreage remains at 96,360 Snow from the recent weather system has mostly melted away except in some areas with north-facing slopes and dense canopies It will be slightly warmer and drier Wednesday but good overnight humidity recovery continues with a prevailing southwest direction for higher elevations An overnight cold front will bring higher humidity and potential for light rain/snow showers before sunrise Thursday Wednesday’s fire behavior is expected be minimal and limited to creeping and smoldering with no fire growth expected Risk was decreased by Tuesday’s colder temperatures light precipitation and high relative humidity pockets of heavy fuels continue to burn inside the fire perimeter Good progress is being made on suppression repair work along the eastern side of the fire All suppression repair is being conducted in coordination with Resource Advisors from the local area Highway 14 between Burgess Junction and Dayton reopened Wednesday morning with reduced speed limits and truck traffic prohibited There are firefighters and highway repair crews working along the highway The Wyoming Department of Transportation asks that drivers obey speed limits and drive cautiously Consider avoiding the area entirely if you don’t have to be there The highway may be congested by firefighter traffic Please minimize stopping and don’t block side roads so that firefighters can get to their assignments There continue to be closures on Red Grade Road and County Road 89 from Dayton to Beckton Junction Elk Fire containment increased for the first time since Friday with containment at 51% as of Tuesday morning The lightning-caused fire is currently at 96,360 acres with 540 people responding A drying trend has led to reduced fuel moisture; however resulting in creeping and smoldering fire behavior Individual trees are igniting occasionally due to ladder fuels extending into the tree canopy A couple of weak disturbances later in the week will displace the high-pressure system that’s been hovering over the fire ushered in by some 20-25 mile per hour winds before the front shift the winds to northwesterly and improve minimum relative humidity levels It will warm up a little Wednesday before the next front comes through that evening That front brings a 20% chance of wetting rain across the fire with cooler temperatures The cloud cover expected Tuesday will minimize fire activity; however firefighters are aware flareups could be seen where the expected winds align with fuels and topography Steep terrain and heavy dead and down timber within the fire area continue to make it difficult for firefighters to safely engage the fire Remnants of snow remain in some of the shaded areas and northern facing slopes; however Fire personnel were busy yesterday doing prep work to make potential firelines more defensible and repairing previous suppression lines The Elk Fire Incident Command Post will be moving this week to the Fairgrounds in Sheridan There may be more firefighter traffic on the highways as a result A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Elk Fire area There have been no changes in road closures within the fire area US Highway 14 is closed between Burgess Junction and Dayton primarily due to falling rocks and debris and pockets of active fire behavior There are also closures on Red Grade Road and County Road 89 from Dayton to Beckton Junction The Elk Fire continues to sit at 96,244 acres and 48% containment with 549 personnel continuing to fight the lightning-caused fire pockets of smoke will become visible inside the fire area Fire managers are aware of these hotspots and will take action as needed Most of the heat will likely come from the heavy down and dead fuels on the ground Fire personnel were busy Sunday doing prep work to make potential firelines more defensible and repairing previous suppression lines Division A firefighters will continue to mop up and rehab firelines on the northern part of the fire Division Z Crews are looking for opportunities to close any fireline gaps in the Red Canyon area A road grader worked yesterday on suppression repair of dozer lines Yesterday was a scouting day for Division I to identify a suppression repair opportunities Heavy equipment that arrived on site will begin repair work today The ground dried out sufficiently to begin suppression repair work yesterday While doing this work in the interior of the fire a couple of logs flared up as they were turned over by the dozer Suppression repair continued along the eastern edge of the fire prepping it to use as an indirect fireline to its junction with the 16 Road They will prep that road to its junction with Highway 14 This work includes removing brush and other fuels by limbing trees and removing understory vegetation to eliminate small ladder fuels This will assist with defending firelines in the event fire activity increases Fire supervisors are assessing the road system for a potential indirect fireline north of Burgess Junction to protect the WYDOT compound and the Forest Service Visitor Center and Work Center Work continues to prep the 15 Road north to Division A limbing trees and removing small ladder fuels Monday's weather will be very similar to Sunday Winds will be no more than 15 miles per hour with high temperatures in the lower 60s at upper elevations Localized gusts can be expected up to 35 miles per hour The front is expected to come through overnight with potential gusts at lower elevations from 25-30 miles per hour but temperatures and humidity should moderate An infrared flight last night showed most of the snow is gone Fuel moisture in light fuels is starting to decrease More smoke may be noticeable as fuels dry out I-90 from the Montana border to Sheridan will be closed Monday for a weed spraying via helicopter US Highway 14 is closed between Burgess Junction and Dayton View the Wyoming Department of Transportation road-closure map here: at wyoroad.info/ SHERIDAN — Moisture persisted over the Elk Fire through the afternoon and into the evening Thursday the Elk Fire has consumed 96,179 acres since starting by lightning Sept and precipitation Thursday and through the night resulted in minimal fire behavior and no growth incident command reported in its daily update Friday morning The northern portion of the fire received approximately 1 inch of rain Areas above 7,000 feet in elevation received between 5 and 10 inches of snow The winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m bringing the possibility of additional precipitation before a short-duration warming The soaking rain penetrated soils and vegetation reducing fire behavior immediately and likely for several days; however stumps and large pockets of dead and down trees will continue to produce smoke Firefighters also focused on winterizing almost 250 portable pumps but were pulled off the line early Thursday due to safety concerns around the weather All personnel was safely relocated to hotels and Sheridan College because of the ongoing winter-weather event The decision to put firefighters back on the fireline Friday will be evaluated throughout the day While this moisture offers some much-needed relief Firefighters remain ready to respond to the warmer drier conditions anticipated over the next week incident command officials stated in an online update Thursday "Team 3 greatly appreciates the outpouring of support and gratitude expressed by residents and communities affected by the fire," the public release from CIMT 3 said Friday morning With the onset of precipitation and expected fire behavior several areas downgraded evacuation levels according to a press release from Sheridan County government officials Thursday the following area has been downgraded to a SET status: • The area South of PK Lane and West of Beckton Big Goose Road and Rapid Creek Road to the black fire containment line The following area has been removed from any evacuation level status: • Everything South and West of Bird Farm Road and Highway 87 Intersection and west of Highway 193 to the Johnson County Line and U.S and west to the Brinton Road and Highway 335 Intersection moving southeast along the foothills to Kemp Creek and then south to the U.S Officials will continue to monitor fire behavior and assess the need to change any evacuation levels on an as needed basis the Sheridan County Sheriff and Bighorn National Forest are allowing access for owners of cabins along Red Grade Road Friday Those traversing Red Grade Road must remember this is a dynamic situation and is subject to change officials stated in a release Thursday at 11 a.m • Check-in with law enforcement at Red Grade Road closure with official ID • This is only for owners of cabins along Red Grade Road • Law enforcement will have a presence along Red Grade Road to ensure safety • Cabin owners must check-out with law enforcement at the Red Grade Road closure by 5 p.m • No trailers or heavy equipment will be allowed past the Red Grade Road closure and for others interested in retrieving items from the mountain all fire restrictions for the Bighorn National Forest were lifted Friday the Bighorn National Forest banned igniting except if using a device solely fueled by liquid or gas tha can be turned on and off in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device among other potential fire-causing actions SHERIDAN — The Elk Fire continued to be active throughout Wednesday afternoon and into the early evening Wednesday evening's night shift was likely the last as weather will continue to move into the area A winter weather advisory is in effect from 6 a.m and precipitation will make fire activity very minimal Precipitation Thursday through Friday morning is anticipated to be 0.6–1.1 inches across the fire area high relative humidities and precipitation will result in very minimal fire behavior Thursday and Friday; no growth beyond the fire’s current perimeter is expected to occur the fire will still smolder and produce smoke in some areas Despite abundant smoke production Wednesday the fire did not progress southward toward Red Grade Road Incident Command officials said in the daily fire update Most fire activity was on the fire’s west side and southwest wind gusts up to 30 mph in the higher elevations yesterday led to a lot of fire activity on the northwestern corner of the fire Near Broderick Flat the fire started to spread but large air tankers and helicopters dropped water and retardant in the area Night shift crews were prepared to conduct firing operations off the 144 Road (Pass Creek Road) fire behavior decreased overnight eliminating the need Today fire activity in the area should be low with crews monitoring the area and beginning to repair areas damaged during the fire-suppression phase Despite fire activity and abundant smoke on the southern side the fire remained north of Rapid Creek and Forest Service Trail 238 Southeast of Big Goose Creek a short-range spot fire was detected in the grass Crews and aircraft kept it from significantly growing during the day and engines working the night shift contained it at 2.5 acres Most of the fire activity yesterday occurred in multiple areas along the western side of the fire creating distinct smoke columns visible to communities to the east Strong southwesterly winds along the fire’s western edge pushed the fire back into itself igniting unburned fuels along the serpentine fire perimeter Sheridan County Sheriff's Office reported no changes to road closures or evacuation maps Wednesday The fire has consumed 96,179 acres and 28% contained The Elk Fire has consumed 92,487 acres and is 28% contained A total of 903 personnel are working the fire Wednesday allowing a hotshot crew to work directly along the fire's edge on Rapid Creek The fire had not crossed the creek as of 9 a.m Crews patrolled Red Grade Road and were in the Poverty Flats area crews worked to contain a small "slop" of fire that crossed the 114 road to the west Crews were able to finish work to secure the edge of the seven-mile-long control line from Big Goose Creek water intake facility south to Red Grade Road during operations Tuesday into the evening crews will continue to patrol the area and mop-up hotspots to slow the fire’s progression to the southeast Fire behavior is expected to be active Wednesday due to hot and dry conditions; however firefighters will be preparing for colder weather and moisture starting later in the evening firefighters in the Poverty Flats area will continue implementing structure protection measures around homes The work includes clearing flammable debris and adding sprinklers Heavy equipment operators will also continue the effort to remove trees and vegetation along the Red Grade Road to create defensible space should strategic firing operations be necessary Structure preparation south of the Red Grade Road will continue all the way west to U.S Firing operations were conducted along the 168 Road north of Burgess Junction yesterday to secure the lines created in the area On the northwest corner of the fire near the Broderick Flats crews were able to put fireline around the spot fires High temperatures and low humidity early in the day today will combine with southwest wind gusts up to 25-30 mph to increase fire activity in the area Patrols will continue on the northwest side and along the containment line stretching from the northeast corner of the fire down to the Soldier Creek Public information officers will be at the Big Horn post office Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 p.m to answer questions about the current fire situation An air quality alert remains — for Sheridan County northeast Bighorn Mountains and the Sheridan foothills including Burgess Junction — through 1 p.m The Wyoming Department of Health recommends the elderly and individuals with respiratory problems avoid excessive physical exertion and minimize outdoor activities during this time Wildfire smoke is made up of a variety of pollutants which can cause respiratory health effects Although these people are most susceptible to health impacts the Department of Health also advises that everyone should avoid prolonged exposure to poor air quality conditions Evacuations for the Sheridan County area remain the same since Oct • West of Beckton Road and South of Eaton Ranch Road • Red Grade Road west at the end of Bear Gulch Road continuing in a southeasterly manner to Hidden Valley Road • Pass Creek Road from Highway 345 west to Slack Road and north to the Montana state line South along East Pass Creek Road from its intersection with Pass Creek Road to the Forest Service boundary continuing east to include the length of Twin Creek Road Residences east of the intersection of Amsden Road and Tongue Canyon Road to the town of Dayton • West of Beckton Road south of Dayton to Eaton’s Ranch Road west to Eaton’s Ranch • County Road 77 and all surrounding area to Polo Drive north and south to Story • South of Montana state line to Wyoming Highway 345 west to Beckton Road and South to Wagon Box Road City of Sheridan Utilities Director Dan Roberts said his team is proactively taking steps to address any taste and odor issues that ash from the fire may cause in the water supply Roberts said staff has not seen an increase in turbidity — which if it does increase suggests ash or sediment carrying ash is entering the water supply The city has yet to receive widespread comments or calls about the taste or odor but have proactively tested the ash in the city's lab and confirmed staff can effectively remove it with treatment methods the city's water treatment team began utilizing active carbon in the treatment process to prevent any potential taste and odor issues we are taking every measure to ensure the safety and quality of your water," Roberts said in the release which will then be removed through conventional treatment processes "As we work to prevent any taste and odor problems we will continuously monitor our progress and make adjustments as needed," Roberts said in the release "We are grateful to our residents for keeping us informed and providing feedback." The Elk Fire grew by 2,590 acres to 91,905 acres from Monday to Tuesday and has dropped from 27% to 26% containment A total of 939 personnel and dozens of other resources continue to fight the lightning-caused fire dry conditions yesterday intensified fire activity the fire continued to move southeast toward the seven-mile-long control line that was created over the last several days Night operations inserted a hotshot crew that created handline to slow the fire’s forward progression at the Forest Service Trail 238 crews continued the ongoing work of widening and clearing trees and vegetation with heavy equipment along Red Grade Road additional crews from the recently completed chipping operations along the 144 Road north of the fire will join in the work along Red Grade Road Crews continue to improve structure protection in the Burgess Junction area while also using heavy equipment to widen and clear the 15 and 16 Roads to create a box of fireline around the area An aerial reconnaissance flight detected some fire activity in the northwest corner of the fire yesterday Crews worked quickly to create a control line and secure the area Patrols will continue in the northwest corner of the fire and along the containment line on the eastern side of the fire to mop-up any hotspots Tuesday's temperatures will be up to 20 degrees higher than normal for this time of year and will combine with relative humidity as low as 16% to produce a high probability of significant fire activity and smoke production The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office released updates to evacuation statuses and road closures Monday Evacuation status for an area southwest of Dayton near Horseshoe Road changed from Go to Set For more detailed information about evacuation statuses and road closures go to the Sheridan County Emergency Management website at tinyurl.com/2s38bcc5 Wyoming Department of Transportation opened portions of US 14 and US 14A previously closed due to the Elk Fire WYDOT opened US 14 from Greybull to Burgess Junction and US 14A from Burgess Junction to Lovell US 14 from Burgess Junction east to Dayton remains closed View the WYDOT road-closure map here at wyoroad.info The Wyoming Department of Transportation has opened U.S Highway 14 from Greybull to Burgess Junction and U.S 14A from Burgess Junction to Lovell as of 4 p.m Highway 14 Burgess Junction east to Dayton remains closed Due to the heavy firefighting traffic of crews working the Elk Fire north and east of these routes motorists are asked to watch for their presence and yield to them when necessary The Bighorn National Forest Service has closed access to the following forest service roads These roads are within the fire boundary and are not accessible to motorists These roads include Forest Service Road 26 /Dead Swede to Red Grade on U.S The Wyoming Highway Patrol will monitor the closure gates at Dayton and Burgess Junction Lots of activity on the Elk Fire over the weekend resulted in less containment Monday morning reports showed a total of 89,315 acres burned — a 1,455-acre increase from Sunday — with 944 personnel four processors and three chippers operational The fire sits at 27% containment Monday morning large portions of Red Grade Road moved to GO on evacuation maps including the area west at the end of Bear Gulch Road continuing in a southeasterly manner to Hidden Valley Road Poverty Flats area also moved to GO status while areas north of Poverty Flats moved to SET These changes are due to potential nearby strategic firing operations and increases of personnel The Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS) alerted impacted residents Monday morning including the intersection of Hidden Valley Road and Highway 335 continuing east to the intersection of Brinton Road continuing in a southeasterly manner along the foothills to Kemp Creek READY status-impacted areas include the area south of Highway 335 and Brinton Road moving due east to Highway 87 This includes everything west and south of the intersection of Highway 87 and Bird Farm Road This does not include the Equestrian Hills subdivision or the Big Horn Equestrian Center A hard road closure exists from the intersection of Highway 335 and Brinton Road and only local traffic and law enforcement will be allowed monitored by heavy law enforcement traffic Public information officers will be available to answer questions at the Big Horn Post Office from 2:30-4:30 p.m Firefighting crews continued strategic firing operations south of the main fire Sunday to reduce fuels slow the fires spread and reduce intensity Firefighters started ignitions at Red Grade Road and the operations progressed to the north Overnight crews continued the firing operations and were able to complete firing along the seven-mile-long control line Structure protection crews will continue work near homes and other properties in the Poverty Flats area Monday clearing flammable debris and setting up ponds masticators and other heavy equipment to clear vegetation on both sides of Forest Service Road 26 to create a defensible line for strategic firing operations to stop the southward movement of the fire hand crews and heavy equipment will continue work to improve the 15 Road and remove trees and vegetation Their goal is to reduce potential fire impacts in Burgess Junction Crews and equipment will move to the 16 Road today Crews north of the fire continued chipping debris along the 144 road as well as patrolling along the dozer lines to prevent any movement west into the Broderick Flats Patrols along containment lines on the eastern side of the fire are ongoing slightly lower relative humidity and lingering smoke This resulted in minimal fire activity during the day resulting in more fire activity than recent nights temperatures fell and humidity rose resulting in steadily decreasing fire activity Monday is forecasted to be warmer and drier with a westerly wind moving to a northwesterly wind This will likely increase fire activity on the southern end of the fire The city of Sheridan has been notified that the Elk Fire Incident Commander has authorized the limited deployment of aerial fire retardant in the Big Goose Drainage to protect critical values at risk The use of retardant in the Big Goose Watershed has been sparing and will continue to be; if further retardant is deemed necessary it will be used in alignment with the strict guidelines of keeping fire retardant drops at least 300 feet from any moving body of water This precautionary buffer zone is critical to preventing potential water supply contamination The participating aircraft are equipped with precision GPS guidance systems to ensure accuracy in meeting these requirements City staff has collected baseline samples of the city’s source water and is working closely with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compare any changes to the water in the future City staff said in a press release they are confident these proactive measures will enable city staff to keep the community informed about any developments A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team is being established for the Elk Fire burning in the Bighorn National Forest and Sheridan County Forest Service BAER assessment teams are established by forest supervisors before wildfires are fully contained BAER assessment teams coordinate and work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service state and local agencies to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts on National Forest System lands burned from wildfires The Elk Fire BAER assessment team will evaluate conditions to determine the level of potential risks to human life critical natural and cultural-heritage resources and determine if there are appropriate and effective measures that can be implemented in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow threats BAER assessment teams are staffed by trained professionals that may include hydrologists geographic information specialists and others who evaluate the burned area The team will generate a soil burn severity map using satellite imagery and then ground truth the imagery with field surveys The team’s findings and recommendations to the forest supervisor will be presented in a final report Federal assistance to private landowners regarding potential post-fire impacts is the primary responsibility of the Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Emergency Watershed Protection program nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/ewp-emergency-watershed-protection the fire grew 5,048 acres and sat at 32% containment with 937 personnel operational the fire grew 3,477 acres to total 87,805 with 28% containment Oct The lightning-caused fire currently deploys 901 personnel Fire personnel stationed at the Story Post Office Sunday to answer questions about the current fire situation Johnson County Emergency Management is now on board with evacuation notices and emergency management managers alerted residents in the Story area by issuing a ready status south of the Sheridan/Johnson county line Crews on the northern side of the fire patrolled along the dozer-constructed firelines watching for any hotspots Sunday stopping progression as well as clearing and chipping debris along the 144 Road Crews patrolling the contained eastern side of the fire are finding very few hotspots The south side of the fire remains the priority area for both night- and day-shift crews Fire activity was minimal overnight Saturday as crews worked around structures along the Red Grade Road to make improvements firing operations south of the main fire are ongoing to reduce fuels and increase firelines as firefighters work their way south to Red Grade Road Helicopters made numerous retardant drops Saturday around communication infrastructure “We will continue to look south to Story and to communication sites in the area,” said Elk Fire Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough “We have been successful so far by being proactive and we will continue to operate that way.” all 13 aircraft were available to assist with firing operations; however heavy smoke and low visibility may have limited the ability to fly but the favorable weather is keeping the fire activity low Heavy equipment and hand crews continue to widen and clear the areas along the Forest Service Road 15 preparing it for future firing operations should that become necessary Lower temperatures and higher relative humidity levels Saturday led to a decrease in fire behavior and were ideal for firing operations later in the day lower temperatures and a light northerly wind resulted in another day of moderate fire growth expected in most areas Firing operations and the main fire produced abundant smoke Sunday Elk Fire containment more than doubled throughout Friday as it jumped from 14% on Friday morning to 32% on Saturday morning The fire saw a 5,048 acre increase on Friday A total of 937 personnel and multiple additional resources continue to fight the fire As containment increases on the fire’s eastern perimeter resources are shifting to the southern side of the fire which is the priority focus of the suppression effort During a presentation of today’s operational plan “Some things we can control and some things we can’t We’ll be as aggressive as we can be while keeping firefighters and residents safe and protecting the watershed from lasting damage.” Saturday’s reported acreage increase is a result of both recent firing operations conducted primarily on the southern side of the fire and the ongoing growth of the main fire While much of the fire’s eastern perimeter is now contained engine crews will maintain a presence in the area as they patrol and extinguish any lingering hotspots they observe from containment lines Firefighters are also backhauling excess equipment the fire spotted across a dozer line adjacent to the 114 Road While receiving aerial assistance with water drops crews constructed fireline around most of the spot fire Night operations then finished line construction clearing slash piles accumulated from earlier road preparation Fire growth on the western side remains moderate numerous firefighters spiked out at a second camp near Burgess Junction continue to install pumps and sprinklers around structures and are ready to use firing tactics should the fire advance westward crews are using hand tools and heavy equipment to remove vegetation and prepare the area for defensive action firing operations have been completed around the water intake facility Night operations mopped up remaining hotspots and started to remove fire hose and pumps They also completed 85 acres of firing operations north of Red Grade Road crews will continue those firing operations today heavy-equipment operators and hand crews are removing vegetation to clear and widen the road aircraft made numerous retardant drops to pretreat the area should firing operations north off the Red Grade Road be necessary to halt the fire’s southward progression A weak cold front will move across the area Saturday slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity The shift in wind direction will be favorable to crews working on the northern and eastern sides of the fire but challenging to those on the southern and western sides dry conditions have led to the vegetation and abundant dead and down trees being extremely dry and receptive to burning The incident’s fire behavior analyst has advised crews to anticipate active fire behavior and potentially significant growth of the main fire The public may observe abundant smoke throughout the day Saturday Containment of the Elk Fire continued to drop Thursday the fire was 79,280 acres and only 14% contained continuing to drop from a high of 16% containment earlier in the week 929 firefighting personnel and dozens of other resources continue to fight the lighting-caused fire Public information officers will be at the post office in Story Friday from 11 a.m to talk to community members and answer questions They will also staff an information board at the Tongue River High School homecoming parade in Dayton this morning a significant portion of the firefighting effort was focused on the southern end of the fire Working from the Sheridan Water Treatment Plant and intake facility completing two miles of containment line through firing operations Ground crews received support from an unmanned aerial system/drone and piloted aircraft Two hotshot crews and a drone working the night shift completed firing operations around the water intake facility These operations are being conducted with the goal of minimizing damage to the watershed infrastructure and communities and preventing the fire’s eastward spread firefighters and heavy equipment are working along Red Grade Road clearing brush and preparing the road to serve as a control feature should the fire continue to advance southward numerous firefighters are at a second camp near Burgess Junction giving them quicker access to the fire each day They have prepared all structures and are ready to conduct defensive firing operations should that side of the fire become more active and advance westward working their way east to west along the 144 Road They are constructing and securing fireline and are nearing the fire’s northwest corner near Broderick Flat They are also chipping woody debris and slash that accumulated during the road-preparation project Aircraft have been assisting ground crews in that area by conducting water and retardant drops Night-shift crews did not observe any flames or areas of heat near the firelines they patrolled Firefighters are monitoring containment lines on the eastern edge of the fire ensuring no lingering areas of heat remain within several feet of the perimeter Crews have progressed southeastward to Crystal Springs constructing and securing containment lines directly on the fire’s edge They are starting to backhaul excess equipment and supplies to be used elsewhere around the fire Lower temperatures and higher humidity levels yesterday somewhat moderated fire behavior and provided crews with conditions conducive for firefighting operations should reduce the amount of time during the day the fire will be most active The fire itself and the tactical firing operations could produce abundant smoke Sheridan County evacuation levels did not change Thursday Several county roads in the fire area remain closed A wall of fire burning and visible from Black Tooth Park and off of Big Goose Road is part of slow progressive fire operations "What people are seeing right now is where our slow progressive fire that we put on the ground coming from the top of the ridge down is meeting natural fire that is trying to rush up," Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Public Information Officer Kristie Thompson told The Sheridan Press 8 p.m "Those two meeting together is causing a flame wall in the area." Thompson said officials realize it is scary for people to see but wanted to inform the public to quell fears Evacuation orders from Wednesday remained unchanged Thursday The Elk Fire crossed Big Goose Creek on the southern end of the fire according to Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team through the Bighorn National Forest and crews completed burn out operations to introduce low intensity fire on the landscape to reduce the fuel load before active fire arrived The Elk Fire spans 76,378 acres burned with 15% containment Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team firefighters and volunteers are implementing strategic firing operations in the Elk Fire which increased fire activity throughout Wednesday as reported by incident command Wednesday at 9 p.m. has consumed 76,378 acres and is 16% contained The team implemented strategic firing operations along the southern edge of the fire Wednesday More fire activity and smoke could be seen from Sheridan Firefighters added low to moderate intensity fire to the ground in targeted areas to remove fuels from the Elk Fire and limit the fire's intensity according to the incident command through the Bighorn National Forest as well as several other operations being implemented near the southern edge of the fire is to protect the Big Goose Creek Watershed as well as communities to the east and south incident command saw an increase in fire behavior Much of the smoke seen Wednesday came from inside the fire perimeter Smoldering materials turned into burning materials and previously unburned pockets of vegetation caught fire The fire also spread along the western edges Some firing operations also occurred in the Big Goose drainage and on the northern edges of Road 144 Volunteers of America Northern Rockies will host a coffee and connect outreach Friday As part of its community crisis response services the VOA is offering mental health services see the VOA's community crisis response page gusty winds and low humidity Tuesday night Elk Fire activity increased significantly northwest of the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant The fire remains at 16% contained and has burned 75,969 acres as of 10 a.m Nearby resources working the night shift—one dozer Numerous aircraft are assigned to the incident and will be conducting water and retardant drops the crews will continue to prepare the 144 Road and conduct more firing operations to protect the Little Bighorn Canyon That area of the fire is active and in steep drainages that are producing smoke mop up and patrolling continues in the Crystal Springs area Firefighting crews will continue to build additional control lines and prepare areas for potential low-intensity strategic firing operations that would protect the watershed and associated water-treatment plant structures Firefighters remain in place to protect structures and engage the fire if necessary The Wyoming Department of Transportation has extended the road closure limits on U.S Highway 14 north of the Antelope Butte Ski Area and U.S To accommodate access to Hunt Area 40 outside of the Elk Fire closure areas west of Burgess Junction the Wyoming Highway Patrol has moved those closures to milepost 85.6 — Hunt Mountain Road/Forest Service Road 10 on U.S and to milepost 38.3 — Granite Pass/Hunt Mountain Road/Forest Service Road 10 on U.S The Wyoming Highway Patrol will have troopers posted at these two locations Motorists will encounter barricades with no access on U.S Highway 14A at Forest Service Road 14 (Sheep Mountain/Devils Canyon) and Forest Service Road 15 (Dayton Gulch) located within the U.S the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bighorn National Forest ask motorists and hunters to be extremely mindful of firefighting equipment in the area and to be familiar with the boundaries of the Elk Fire After Sheridan County Sheriff's Office deputies allowed property owners of Red Grade to access their properties in anticipation of the fire moving south along the Bighorn Mountain range Red Grade is now closed to all traffic until further notice to allow for fire suppression crews to have unencumbered access Sheridan County officials are asking the public to avoid Dayton East Road during the hours of 6-9 a.m to allow emergency personnel to travel to and from the fire camp to ensure efficient response efforts Use alternate routes during the designated hours DAYTON — A total of 829 personnel are working on containing the now 75,969-acre Elk Fire Good progress was made in structure preparation near the Big Goose Water Facility Containment is a tactical point at which a fire's spread is stopped by and within specific features in a way which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire's spread no further spread is expected under foreseeable conditions The word foreseeable is a really important caveat Containment means that fire managers believe that the chance of fire spread past a fireline has dropped significantly That's why crews will continue patrolling the containment line to make sure the fire is indeed staying contained Containments on fire area maps are indicated with a black line instead of red BIG HORN — The Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 and group of officials coordinating efforts to attack the Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest will host a community meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m The meeting will be recorded and posted to the Bighorn National Forest Facebook page The Elk Fire has consumed 74,685 acres and is 10% contained as of 8:15 a.m Classes are back in session for the Tongue River side of Sheridan County School District 1 Red Grade Road remains closed to all public after two days of allowing property owners access to secure their homes Red Grade Road will see an increase in firefighting equipment and personnel and the roads in that area need to be clear for fire personnel to do their work safely and efficiently Evacuation levels decreased for some areas of Sheridan County South along East Pass Creek Road from its intersection with Pass Creek Rd to the Forest Service boundary continuing east to include the length of Twin Creek Road • Residences east of US Hwy 14 up to the Horseshoe Ranch • The town of Parkman residents and the residents north of Parkman • South of Montana state line to Wy HWY 345 Bighorn National Forest officials confirmed the start of the Elk Fire was from lightning A certified fire investigator was helicoptered into the area where the fire started and it has been confirmed that the cause was indeed lightning according to a post on BNF's Facebook page Officials would not release the name of the individual fire investigator The point of origin is near Dry Fork Ridge between Miller and West Fork Taffner creeks which BNF Public Information Officer Sara Evans Kirol said was accurate After two days where cabin owners were granted permission along Red Grade Road to access their property red Grade Road is once again officially closed to the public All cabin owners were asked to be off the road and out of their properties at 5 p.m Any vehicles contacted on Red Grade Road may constitute enforcement action by law enforcement Tongue River schools to move back to in person Oct After the alert status for the town of Dayton was moved back from "set" to "ready" as of 1:40 p.m Sheridan County School District 1 will proceed with in person activities this afternoon and return to school in person at all schools in Tongue River Oct and decisions based on participation because of air quality will be communicated out to coaches students and athletes by school administrators SCSD1 Superintendent Jeff Jones said in an Oct DAYTON — Firefighters are ready to attack the Elk Fire head on Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson said has grown to 72,998 acres and is 10% contained after weekend winds caused high fire activity through the Bighorn National Forest "We've been on the defense from the start when the fire was first reported to us at 8:30 in the morning and we launched an air attack aircraft that we had prepositioned in Sheridan for just this sort of thing," Johnson said a 20-person hand crew and launched two helicopters within the first 10 minutes of the Elk Fire but again we've been on the defense from the start This fire has shown an incredible resistance to control it's been driven hard by the weather and it's grown the way you've seen it grow the largest fire recorded 18,000 acres and took about a month to grow to that size "I'm sick of being on the defense," Johnson continued we're coming up with strategies we think will have a high probability of success that mitigate risk to our firefighters and aviators and protect those critical values at risk — your homes your private lands and our backyard and our drinking water." Johnson said crews are ready to go on the offensive taking advantage of bettering weather conditions this week Incident Meteorologist Shawn Palmquist said cold front winds over the weekend paired with above average temperatures for Sheridan County and Burgess Junction caused non-ideal weather conditions for fire activity Sheridan County will be under the influence of high pressure bringing the area back to warm and dry conditions with temperatures in the 60s at Burgess Junctions most days and 70s and 80s in the lower portion of the fire but winds will remain lighter during the day and overnight The fire consumed two primary residences in the Horseshoe Subdivision over the weekend but all other primary residences in the fire's wake have been spared at this time Structure protection tactics were and will continue to be utilized to prepare the Big Goose Water Treatment facility for any fire that may move into the area which feeds the water treatment facility and currently sits in READY evacuation zone Sheridan County School District 1 school schedules evacuation notices and other stories from those impacted by the Elk Fire can be seen online at thesheridanpress.com Sheridan County School District 1 has set a tentative schedule for the week as the Elk Fire continues to burn The closures are in effect to protect firefighter and public safety It is anticipated that the Elk Fire will continue to put up a smoke column; please go to the AirNow website for smoke information Residents are urged to stay informed by following Sheridan County Government and Bighorn National Forest communication channels and be prepared for additional changes Friday evening fire activity update (10 p.m The fire was measured at 55,618 acres at 6:15 p.m The wind speed has increased at Burgess Junction; the night operations fire crews are continuing structure protection work There will be another community meeting at the Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester at 7 p.m Ian Munsick — Sheridan native and popular country artist — started a GoFundMe fundraiser to benefit northern Wyoming fire departments Donations made to the Elk Fire Relief Fund will be funneled back to the following fire departments and local agencies to provide support needed to combat the fires and prevent further widespread damage Bureau of Indian Affairs - Division of Wildland Fire Management Gordon is responding to the wildfires by directing all available state fire resources to be utilized for active fires and new starts Additional information on the Elk Fire is available by visiting the InciWeb page or the Bighorn National Forest Facebook page Mule Deer Foundation raising funds for wildfire ravaged northern Wyoming The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is stepping forward to help heal this wounded landscape We are committed to raising $60,000 by Oct 31 to restore the habitat that wildlife and ranchers alike depend on The foundation's efforts will focus on rebuilding essential fencing and combating invasive species that threaten to take hold in this fragile environment City staff has cleared extra vegetation around the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant and the intake site to reduce the fire risk After having previously used a bulldozer to create a fireline fire crews utilized an Unmanned Aircraft System to implement a successful burnout operation west of the Horseshoe Subdivision Thursday the incident management Friday morning update said By intentionally placing fire on the ground between the fireline and the main fire fire managers were able control the rate at which the vegetation was burned under calmer conditions This tactic was utilized to lessen the chance of fire advancing upon structures in the future crews continued burning vegetation to increase the distance between structures and the southeast side of the main fire crews will continue preparing structures to be defensible from fire in the Little Bighorn Canyon This same work will be done in the vicinity of Thursday's burning operation crews will use a variety of structure preparation techniques including the removal of vegetation near structures constructing fireline and placing hose and sprinklers where possible With an anticipated increase in fire activity due to critical fire weather today through Saturday please keep all county and local roads clear multiple large airtankers were used to drop retardant on the Elk Fire A large airtanker can hold up to 3,000 pounds and a very large airtanker can drop 9,400 lbs A video shows airtankers dropping retardant in the area of Eatons' Ranch and the Wolf Creek drainage Bear Gulch East and Aspens Trailheads at the Sheridan Community Land Trust's Red Grade Trails system are closed in accordance with the U.S Bighorn National Forest extends closure to north of Red Grade All schools on the Tongue River side of district to be closed Oct DAYTON — Evacuations have been ordered for all the residences on Pass Creek Road between East Pass Creek and Twin Creek Road and from the X bar X Ranch north to the state line beneficiaries may call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303 All students from Tongue River High School will attend classes online The area closed is the area north of US Highway 14 and east of the border of the Medicine Wheel Ranger District and the Tongue Ranger District the team is doing amazing work and I feel like we’re finally on the offense," Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson said Howard County is distributing 3,000 trees to residents Registration for the 2023 Annual Tree Giveaway is now closed. All trees have been reserved. If you would like to be sent information prior to next year’s tree giveaway, please sign up here for a notification Tree pick-up locations will be at West Friendship Park in West Friendship and Rockburn Park WEST in Elkridge You will be able to choose which park you would like to pick up your tree You will also be able to choose which of the following dates and times to pick up your tree (Make sure to provide them with a copy of your "receipt." Please view our instructional video to learn how to properly plant your tree. For more information on where to plant your tree and safe tree placement, please refer to the information provided in the “Tree Planting and Maintenance Guidelines” section below Always remember to call Miss Utility before you dig The trees will be in 5-gallon containers and approximately 3 to 10 feet tall although Pawpaw will be at smaller at 18”-36” acclimated to our climate and provide food and shelter for wildlife Please utilize the information below to pick a tree best suited to the conditions of your yard Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)– grows to a height of 30-75′ with a width of 20-50′ prefers partial shade to full sun and can tolerate dry with a black fleshy fruit and stunning red fall foliage The Black gum is a versatile species with high wildlife value Red Maple (Acer rubrum)- grows to a height of 40-100′ with a spread of 30-75′ Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soils Often found in swampy areas and may need extra watering if planted in a dry area Has a small red flower early in spring and vibrant red to yellow fall foliage The Red Maple is the earliest spring bloomer Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)– grows to a height of 20-50′ with a spread of 20-50′ Prefers partial shade but is often seen growing in full sunlight as well Grows well in open forests and along forest edges White spring flowers with a red to orange berry and scarlet foliage in the fall The Flowering Dogwood has high wildlife value with fall migrant birds relying on its berries Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)- grows to a height of 20-35’ with a spread of 20-35’ Prefers partial sunlight to full shade but is often seen growing in full sun as well Tolerates a variety of locations but grows well as an understory species and along streambanks Pink to purple spring flowers with a seedpod in the fall and golden yellow foliage The Eastern Redbud is a nitrogen fixing species Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)- grows to a height of 50-75’ with a spread of 35-50’ Prefers full to partial sunlight and dry to moist soils Will grow in a variety of conditions including woodland and open fields as long as there is no standing water and some sunlight Persimmon will produce edible fruits when given enough sunlight and have a high wildlife value In the spring they have a yellowish flower and provide berries in the fall Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)- grows to a height of 60-100’ with a spread of 50-75’ Prefers full or partial sunlight and moist to wet soils Often found along streams and in bottomlands but can thrive in a variety of environments Swamp White Oak produce acorns and have a high wildlife value Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)- grows to a height of 12-30’ with a spread of 12-30’ Can tolerate a variety of light levels from full sun to shade and prefers moist to wet soils Often found in forested wetlands or on streambanks and pond edges The Sweetbay Magnolia is semi-evergreen and may lose its leaves during a cold winter In the spring it will produce large cream-colored flowers and a red berry in the fall The Sweetbay Magnolia being given away are multi-stem/clump Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)- grows to a height of 20-35’ with a spread of 20-35’ Prefers full sun but does well as an understory species in partial shade Prefers moist soils and can often be found growing in bottomlands and river valleys Pawpaw produce large fruits which are edible The Pawpaw being given away are smaller than other species choices at only 18-36” Alleghany Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)- grows to a height of 15-25’ with a spread of 15-20’ They do well in full sun and partial shade and can handle moist and dry soils Serviceberry is often found growing in rich woods All tree facts listed above are from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service “Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed.” 2023 at 3:31 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}HoCo Executive Calvin Ball also announced the future establishment of a Boys and Girls Club in partnership with Howard County Government Howard Community College and the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore MD — Howard County Executive Calvin Ball on Wednesday declared that the "state of Howard County is strong and that Howard County is on the road to excellence.” During his annual state of the county address Ball outlined plans for faith-based initiatives provided progress on the Ellicott City Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan transformative expansion of hospital capacity to improve emergency operations and exciting investment in building and retaining the workforce “We endured one of the most challenging times in our history Howard County remains a national model for response transformational vision has always been data informed and people driven,” Ball said “We will continue to be at the forefront of sparking innovation protecting our environment and strengthening our communities as we journey towards the next stop on the road to excellence.” Faith-based initiatives: Following recent events in Israel and Palestine and a rise of Islamophobia and Anti-Semitic rhetoric in the county Ball announced $750,000 in grants to protect houses of worship in Howard County This funding will help deter potential acts of violence and hate crimes in the county Ball also announced the creation of an Interfaith Advisory Council comprised of more than 35 faith leaders to build and nurture relationships within the interfaith community will provide recommendations to address some of the most pressing matters in local religious communities Ellicott City Safe and Sound: Ball announced two major advancements in his comprehensive Ellicott City Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan Ball will break ground on the H4 flood mitigation pond which will hold more than 5.5 million gallons of water during storm events As part of the Ellicott City Safe Safe and Sound plan the H7 and Quaker Mill flood mitigation ponds have already been completed and hold a combined total of more than 7.5 million gallons of water the county will begin the building removal work on Lower Main Street in Ellicott City He said he anticipates that once the work begins in January Four structures are slated to come down as part of Ball’s plan and the county and will preserve and renovate six other county-owned buildings on Lower Main Street Health: Ball announced a $15 million commitment to the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center to address the growing needs in the emergency department This funding will support the renovation of the first floor of the pavilion building into a 29-bed observation unit This new unit will reduce wait times and length of stay for all patients Ball provided $1 million towards an expanded behavioral health unit at the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Ball announced additional funding of $1 million to support mental health needs at the Howard County Medical Center in the upcoming budget Ball included $1 million for Howard Community College’s Workforce Development and Skilled Trades Center Ball announced a total commitment of $10 million to support this transformative center Ball noted that this center will “be a beacon of innovation and increase our economic viability statewide.” Housing Opportunities: Ball reiterated his commitment to address housing affordability through his bold Housing Opportunities Meant for Everyone One element of this package is a commitment of $1.6 million to secure final funding for the groundbreaking Patuxent Commons affordable housing initiative multigenerational project that will include 25% of units set aside for persons with disabilities Recreation and Parks: Ball announced significant investment in Howard County Recreation and Parks facilities in the upcoming capital budget Ball also announced the future establishment of a Boys and Girls Club in partnership with Howard County Government this new club will provide after-school programming and mentorship It also will be the first of its kind in the state Revitalizing the Ellicott City Courthouse: Ball announced that the Historic Courthouse in Ellicott City will be repurposed to become a transformative Center for Arts After receiving comments from more than 600 community stakeholders the historic courthouse will become a space for the Howard County Center for the Arts the county’s first Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural Center the nationally recognized Roving Radish and a shared commercial kitchen space The current site for the Howard County Center for the Arts will become a new space for Howard County Black Greek Letter Nonprofits For the first time in Howard County history there will be a dedicated space for historically black fraternities and sororities to meet and offer key programs for the community This space will be the first of its kind in Maryland Ball announced that he will break ground on the Howard County COVID-19 Memorial on Nov This will be a space where people can reflect on a challenging period in recent history while serving as a reminder of our resilience and a symbol of renewal in our community The groundbreaking will take place at Meadowbrook Park in Ellicott City Poet Laureate: Ball announced the establishment of Howard County’s first Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate program in partnership with the Howard County Arts Council and HoCoPoLitSo As the first program of its kind in Howard County and one of the only in the state this competitive initiative will put a spotlight and focus on the poetry and literature community right here at home The Howard County Arts Council Board unanimously approved the administration of this program Flag Commission: Ball announced a commission to redesign the Howard County flag The current Howard County flag was adopted nearly 55 years ago The commission will oversee the guidelines public submission and review process that will result in the selection of a brand-new flag design that encompasses Howard County’s past executive director of the Howard County Center for the Arts Cold Cases: Ball announced that the Howard County Police Department and Howard County Department of Technology and Communication Services will build a new database and website dedicated to solving cold cases in Howard County Digital Equity: Ball announced that in addition to expanded WiFi at the Howard County Fairgrounds for the first time in Howard County history Howard County will expand its digital network to Columbia Association facilities including six village centers and all 23 pools the county has six dedicated fiber rings with a network that includes all county buildings Columbia Association and all Howard County Public Libraries Ball noted that Howard County is ahead of schedule in implementing the state-mandated Blueprint for Maryland’s Future due to progress in opening a new pre-kindergarten center at the Faulkner Ridge Center the recent opening of Guilford Park High School the county’s first new high school to open since 2005 and record investment in the school system’s capital and operating budget requests Ball also announced that High School 14 will no longer be considered in Troy Park and he made a $15 million commitment to invest in site acquisition for a new home for High School 14 in Elkridge Volunteer Firefighters: Howard County remains home as the Safest City in Maryland He will provide $100,000 to each of the six Volunteer Fire Corporations during the next fiscal year Howard County signed the largest solar power purchase agreement in Maryland Howard County now receives 47 percent of its electricity needed for county government operations from solar There more projects are under design and permitting and Ball expects at least 55 percent of county government operations to be powered by solar within the next two years Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Growth on the Elk Fire in northwestern Sheridan County has led to more evacuations A public meeting tonight at 7 p.m. has been moved to the Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester. It will be recorded and posted on the Bighorn National Forest Facebook page A new information phone line has been set up for the Elk Fire: 307-303-7642 Multiple areas were evacuated or told to prepare to leave overnight The Sheridan County Fairgrounds has an evacuation center that can take in large and small animals and can also house people Call Sheridan County Emergency management at 307-303-7642 for questions or to stay at the shelter Sheridan County says ash has been falling south of the fire as far as Sheridan, but adds ash is not hot embers and poses no threat to the city or surrounding areas. Air quality in the Sheridan area was moderate Wednesday Gov. Mark Gordon has authorized the deployment of the Wyoming National Guard to support the fire with medevac resources for firefighters The Elk Fire is now estimated at 32,000 acres and is still zero percent contained Read yesterday's fire update here Donate to help keep public radio strong across Wyoming News | Sep 10 Rural resident Spencer Thomas calls this roadway the most dangerous unimproved of its kind in Garfield County and right now they’re calling for major upgrades Garfield County commissioners and Sheriff Lou Vallario met with area residents Forest Service representatives at the New Castle Community Center the forum of nearly 50 people addressed possible short- and long-term goals for County Road 245 CR 245 — better known as Buford Road — runs northwest of New Castle It is a popular thoroughfare to the Flat Tops region and attracts many off-roaders is requesting upgrades to help mitigate many of the road’s recurring safety and wellness issues Association members say increases in traffic nearby logging operations and more have deteriorated road conditions There is also a lack of traffic enforcement on Buford Road The association also cited unsafe road conditions leading to a fatal accident in August 2022. “I’m infuriated that these conditions have been allowed to exist and continue — and continue to be ignored,” said Buford Road resident Monica Shivley “I would like the county to be held responsible for this negligence I plead with you to please consider improving (the road) for generations to come.” Rural New Castle residents on Wednesday were also loaded with anecdotal close calls they have personally experienced on Buford Road This included close calls with unruly visitors “The reckless/careless drivers have run (motorists) off the road into the side of the ditch on several locations and they have seen too many accidents where vehicles are off the road dangling in the trees,” said New Castle resident Jane Murphy “The absence of effective dust control on the road causes both safety and health hazards upon the residents and users.” History shows CR 245, first opened in 1931 hasn’t been improved since the 1980s and on Wednesday commissioners argued the county doesn’t have enough oversight of Buford Road to enforce traffic rules or begin any major projects according to Road and Bridge Director Wyatt Keesbery Garfield County is only required to conduct surface blading of 18.6 miles of Buford Road to the Rio Blanco County border once a year This is stipulated through a road agreement struck between the county and the Forest Service in 2017 many residents argued that Buford Road is a county road and should be better maintained Spencer also later argued that there’s nothing in this agreement that keeps the county from improving the road the county simply does not have enough manpower or resources to do consistent maintenance The West Elk Buford Residents Association specifically calls for improvements of 6.3 miles of Buford Road starting at the cattle guard 9.2 miles northwest of New Castle and ending at the north gate to West Elk Creek Ranch at Elk Ridge Road 15.5 miles northwest of New Castle But Keesbery said the county does not have ownership of much of this section “That road is a Forest Service road,” he said “It’s not a county road.” Vallario also spoke about ownership of Buford Road and how it affects law enforcement.  “I have no authority to write tickets to people in federal court,” he said.  Forest Service confirmed it only has two law enforcement agents for the entire White River National Forest “And I’ve never ever shied away from telling everybody whether you want to hear it or not — traffic enforcement is a secondary priority for us We have to respond to calls first.”  One major Buford Road concern from residents is also logging operations The Forest Service began a regional logging and chipping project aimed at improving forest health in 2021 but residents have complained about trucks giving them early-morning wakeup calls when operations begin in addition to causing road damage Rifle District Ranger Joe Fazzi confirmed on Wednesday that logging operations have gone on for longer than originally anticipated due to a long winter Fazzi said there are many avenues for the county to look at jurisdiction over Buford Road but they emphasized that this could take a very long time we’re going to have to make a decision by this board to do that,” Commissioner Mike Samson said we’re going to fight the federal government.” Commission Chair John Martin echoed this sentiment we just need to assert ourselves to get the road safe,” he said “And also work with the Forest Service work with the chippers and get everything so that the general public can use that road without jeopardy of losing their life.” the county has still budgeted $500,000 for Buford Road gravel improvements Fazzi said the Forest Service has acquired $487,000 for 2024 maintenance of Buford Road but that also covers the Rio Blanco district the $500,000 for more gravel isn’t enough it requires widening and pavement — a project that will likely require millions in funding “That whole road needs to get redone,” Thomas said Commissioners agreed the road does need long-term improvements as the association calls for an action plan the county offered to appropriate a more permanent blader for Buford Road “The question is,” Thomas said of a possible improvement plan “what can we do to make this as safe as bloody possible between now and when we truly begin to execute on that goal?” Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage Colorado has seen five known cases of measles this year View Results ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelColorado’s Elk Creek Ranch: America’s Ultimate Sporting CommunityByChris Dorsey Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights I am a filmmaker & biologist covering conservation & outdoor topics.Follow AuthorApr 22 04:02pm EDTShareSaveCommentThe stunning main lodge at Elk Creek Ranch houses a restaurant the sparsely populated western slope of northwest Colorado has harbored one of America’s most exclusive—and little known—sporting communities Elk Creek Ranch is a 25,000-acre sportsman’s playground like none other complete with 33 miles of private trout water and numerous lakes where rainbows and browns grow to beastly dimensions the waters of the legendary White River that run through the ranch are famously generous Mornings often start in the ranch’s fly shop for breaking reports on insect hatches and fly suggestions It’s where word of emergers and acquisitions replaces daily stock tips the magic and beauty of the valley have attracted some of the country’s wealthiest—including Henry Kravis and the Walton family as well as celebrities like golfer Greg Norman "Colorado offers some of the world's most stunning real estate," says long-time owner former chairman of Walmart and conservation philanthropist "and when you set foot on Elk Creek Ranch you're looking at the best of the best—especially if you're a sportsman." The ranch controls 33 miles of prolific private trout water The ranch also happens to reside within North America’s largest elk migration corridor one of the reasons Teddy Roosevelt regularly visited the area ultimately becoming the leading voice in creating the 2.3- million-acre White River National Forest The abundance of elk and deer provides the 53 members of the property with world-class big game hunting opportunities and rifle seasons span from September through much of November most of whom have hunted and fished the valley for decades and know it intimately wild populations of blue grouse can be found throughout the ranch’s timberlands as well as in the millions of acres of surrounding state and federal lands Pheasant hunting is also on the menu here and to get tuned up before heading to the uplands a sprawling and cleverly designed sporting clays course provides shooters with all manner of humbling challenges The course and nearby equestrian center were part of Elk Creek’s acquisition of Greg Norman’s 10,000-acre Seven Lakes Ranch in 2021 Winter months might find residents hopping on snow machines and heading to the mountains where they’ll strike off on foot behind hounds in search of the region’s plentiful (some would say over-abundant) mountain lion population Black bear is yet another marquee species available to hunters here the area sporting some of the highest densities of the animals found anywhere in the West The 25,000 acres of Elk Creek Ranch is home to one of the West's largest elk migration corridors After a day on the water or on the mountain returning to the ranch’s stunning timber lodge for a sundowner and a gourmet dinner is simply part of the natural order of things at Elk Creek Michelin level chefs avail themselves of the local wild game and fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables to celebrate the harvest with a local flair A members’ wine cellar allows owners to store a collection of their favorite wines in a temperature- controlled unit and an adjacent dining room is popular for the combination of tastings and dinner Management regularly surveys owners to mine for suggestions to stock the ranch’s expansive wine cellar residents at Elk Creek would have a long-term supply of vintages to pair with the ranch’s endless bounty of fish and game it’s not so much about surviving at Elk Creek as it is thriving you are immediately overcome with a rhapsody of aromas ranging from grilling steaks to a hint of woodsmoke from a roaring fireplace As George Sears once offered and Elk Creek ascribes “We don’t go into the woods to rough it…we get it rough enough at home.” Elk Creek Ranch feels like it has been manifested from a sportsman’s dream It’s what every hunter and angler prays heaven is like it’s the reward of years of toil in business in distant urban centers Rainbow and brown trout grow big at Elk Creek While some owners choose to build homes on the ranch others opt to stay in one of several beautifully appointed private cabins that look like they were manifest from the pages of Town & Country “The mission of Elk Creek Ranch is to maximize members’ hunting and fishing experiences as a shared community while removing the hassle of having to manage such a massive ranch,” says Colton Brown “When I first came out here,” says long-time owner Mike Haley “I said this could be the Augusta National of fly fishing…and I stick by that It’s like having your own large private ranch without all the headaches.” Creating such a unique community started with a vision decades ago to assemble some of the West’s most spectacular land and water assets forever conserving them as a refuge for the sporting life and the fish and wildlife found here Buttoning up water rights and access issues is never easy in the West but over time and thanks to far-sighted and opportunistic leadership and the legacy property will stand in perpetuity as the challenges to replicate such places become ever-more daunting Admission doesn’t come cheap (lots selling for $1.5 to $2.5 million) but for those with the means the ranch has become a valued part of any portfolio where you can enjoy time outdoors with your family and friends as your investment accrues The abundance of trout water means fishing pressure is low “Elk Creek is a one-of-a-kind property,” says the ranch’s board chair Mark Schryver it’s a safe refuge where the best of the sporting life is celebrated daily and where owners can decompress from a frenetic world.” While the seasonal diversity of Elk Creek’s hunting and fishing offerings are simply unmatched and paddle boarding also are leisure options And if that’s not enough physical activity for you a fitness center will help you burn off some of the extra calories that are inevitable when indulging here Located within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of the ranch are many of the country’s most celebrated ski destinations—including Steamboat Springs which is why Colorado has become one of the most popular four-season destinations in America As the turf of millionaires and billionaires accessing the ranch for the private jet crowd is especially easy Only 20 minutes away is the 2,500-person village of Meeker (with grocery stores and supplies) and the town’s airport that features a 6,500-foot runway capable of handling most full-size corporate jets For those who would rather chopper to the property a helipad sits outside Elk Creek’s main lodge which also serves as a potentially life-saving feature should the need for medical evacuation arise The Village at Elk Creek with a variety of private cabins available for lodging “The real value proposition to Elk Creek Ranch for people like me who like to hunt and fish and be in the western outdoors,” says Scott Casto “is to bring friends and family together in an environment where they can have fun and share something they’ve never experienced before.” CRIME, POLICE + COURTS 7:49 PM | Updated: Dec 29 by West Valley Police on felony child sexual abuse charges BY WAVERLY GOLDEN MAGNA, Utah — In a report from Raymond John Wilhelm with West Valley Police, he said Dale Anderson was under investigation for inappropriately touching multiple family members. Anderson was a first-grade teacher at Elk Run Elementary The investigation began when allegations of the 70-year-old inappropriately touching a young relative were made Wilhelm’s report says that the victim’s mother said her sister witnessed Anderson touch the relative.  The report further says that Anderson admitted to a family member about his fantasies surrounding children “…that he had fantasies about children he teaches but has not acted on them.”  Principal at Elk Run Elementary sent the following statement:  “Dear Elk Run Parents and Families,  We were recently notified and wanted to alert you regarding some disturbing information from the West Valley Police  Department Andreason was arrested this morning on some very serious charges involving inappropriate contact with a minor We are still gathering information on this matter but we were notified several days ago that an investigation was ensuing and he was placed on leave at that time It is believed that the suspected illegal behavior is limited to family members.  Student safety is our primary concern and we take these charges very seriously We have received no indication from WVCPD that our students were involved if you have further information or concerns They can be reached at 801-963-3300.”  Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here Randy Treglown was much more than just a gym teacher or a basketball coach a person who led by example is how the popular Elk Ridge Middle School physical education instructor was described Wednesday as students teachers and a community mourned his death Wednesday — as he did every day — when he was hit and killed by a Ford F-150 truck while in a crosswalk along 4000 West near 9800 South South Jordan police were still investigating the accident Wednesday they were trying to determine whether Treglown or the 32-year-old driver of the truck had the right of way The motorist told police he didn't see Treglown until he struck him Rob Hansen described the driver — who stopped and immediately tried to administer aid after the accident — as being very cooperative with detectives "We do believe the driver in that he never saw him," Hansen said "The driver of the vehicle is not showing any signs of impairment He lives in the area … is very cooperative and obviously feels terrible." Police and witnesses said Treglown was wearing a dark green shirt and black pants when he was hit and he was not wearing any reflective gear or a light Word of the popular teacher's tragic accident spread rapidly and the tributes started to be posted on social media pages almost immediately "I would like to take a moment to thank you for all you have done for me throughout your life I have always looked up to you my entire life," one boy wrote on his Facebook page in tribute to Treglown "I guarantee you changed kids' lives because of your efforts to stop bullying you helped me become a better basketball player I wanted to become a basketball coach because of you." He taught me so much about life and sports I can say (he was) the most influential teacher I have ever had — period He cared about his students and his players He will never be forgotten," wrote former student Brady Haider "He always got to school before anyone else to open the basketball gym so that students could play basketball before school and even the kids who did not particularly like P.E. Haider still has one of Treglown's quotes written down as inspiration: "The will to win is important Elk Ridge Principal Larry Urry said Treglown wouldn't ask his students to do anything he wasn't willing to do himself added Jordan School District spokeswoman Sandy Riesgraf well-loved guy who went above and beyond in everything he did," Riesgraf said Treglown was in the middle of his 17th year at Elk Ridge and had been with the district for 29 years "He was just a person you knew you could trust all the time He was always straight and honest with you and was always very caring about everyone and tried to help everyone do their best Some students who were arriving at school early for seminary class witnessed the accident Grief counselors were at the school Wednesday for any student parent or faculty member who needed to talk to them Teachers were informed of the accident before school started "They didn't just get tears in their eyes "The day's been a little more subdued but we're trying to keep them in their regular routines We have grief counselors here talking to kids Some students said their buses dropped them off at school from a different entrance Wednesday morning so they wouldn't see the accident the principal got on the intercom to officially announce to the students what had happened It was like complete silence throughout the whole school," said one student a makeshift memorial with signs and posters was established on the corner near where the accident happened Many of Treglown's present and past students stopped by to share memories of their favorite teacher very patient and kind to his students," one former student wrote on a comment board "If you ever saw him outside of school or even outside of class at the school he would go out of his way to say hello and (ask) how your day was going When I left middle school and went to Bingham It was amazing how he was at every single meet supporting not just his son but the whole team!" I was his assistant basketball coach for a number of years while I taught at Elk Ridge He gave so much to the students and community of South Jordan," added Patrick Trent Many former basketball players who were coached by Treglown mourned him Wednesday "Coach Treglown molded me into a better person and taught me the fundamentals of the game that I am using to this day and will teach my own son as he grows Coach Treglown has had a large impact on my life that I am so very thankful for," wrote "Nate." "I played for Coach Treglown in 2001 and 2002 classy guy who taught me the game of basketball perfectly during practice and would stay after practice to shoot around and talk about all of life's difficulty and concerns It was no surprise that Coach came to my wedding a couple years ago and gave a sincere smile and congratulations," wrote Chad Vigil Others talked about how Treglown would help shovel snow from neighbors' driveways in the winter and another about how few people knew about his painting talents Other teachers covered Treglown's classes Wednesday But Urry said there was no way to replace him Treglown had been at the school since it opened "We'll never replace him and replace who he is That's something that's going to be hard," Urry said neat man who worked so hard to do a good job for the kids and a man you could always trust." Wednesday's tragedy was the second in two weeks for the school a longtime custodian and good friend of many of the faculty members He was retired but continued to go to the school to work a couple of hours each day Urry said Sheriff wasn't feeling well and decided to go home early He was found a short time later slumped over the steering wheel of his car in the parking lot E-mail: emorgan@desnews.com, preavy@desnews.com Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam, DNewsCrimeTeam