Clear, 65° F
The fire raging on the east slope of the Bighorns continues to balloon in size, reaching 32,096 acres as of Wednesday morning, according to the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
The Powell Tribune has expanded its online content. To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free web account by clicking here.
If you already have a web account, but need to reset it, you can do so by clicking here.
If you would like to purchase a subscription click here.
Please log in to continue |
|
The fire raging on the east slope of the Bighorns continues to balloon in size, reaching 32,096 acres as of Wednesday morning, according to the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 in its latest release.
The fire, which began roughly 6 miles northwest of Dayton, is being fought by 200 personnel and is 0% contained.
The Sheridan County Sheriff issued additional evacuations overnight of the following areas: Pass Creek Road and Twin Creek Road west of Parkman; Tongue River Canyon west of Dayton, where the pavement turns to dirt.
The town of Parkman and residents north of Parkman, on both the east and west sides of Wyo. Highway 345, up to the Montana state line, are now under a pre-evacuation or "Ready" notice.
An in-person meeting held at 6 p.m. Wednesday night in Dayton was recorded and published on the U.S. Forest Service Bighorn National Forest’s Facebook page.
The fire remained active Tuesday night, moving further to the northeast. Wednesday, according to the release, firefighting operations were to focus on direct and indirect strategies. Firefighters were set to improve existing roads and fireline on the northeastern eastern, and southeastern portions of the fire area. Fire managers are scouting for areas to safely put in fireline on the southern area of the fire. Air resources will continue to assist firefighters on the ground as weather allows.
Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority, said the incident command team. The tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain, fire and weather conditions, and medical response time.
U.S. Highway 14 remains closed from Dayton to Burgess Junction. For additional road closures, visit the Sheridan County Emergency Management website at sheridancountywy.gov.
Those needing a place to take livestock or a place to stay in a camper may evacuate to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. People who need a place to stay can contact Sheridan County Emergency Management at 307-752-2174 for more information.
A Bighorn National Forest Closure Order is in place for firefighter and public safety. The area closed is the area north of U.S. Highway 14 and east of the border of the Medicine Wheel Ranger District and the Tongue Ranger District.
Check the AirNow website at airnow.gov/ to monitor smoke movement.
