Last night, the fire had spread into the Highway 14 corridor, prompting emergency personnel to evacuate the Elk Fork campground, Wapiti campground, Wapiti Ranger Station, and Pagoda Summer Homes were evacuated in a multi-agency approach. With firefighting operations and smoke on the highway, the Highway Patrol temporarily closed the highway from the East Entrance to near Wapiti, with WYDOT delivering electronic signs for smoke and safety warnings, and an ambulance was staffed on site for public and firefighter safety.
“No structures were lost and firefighters were able to protect vehicles left at the corrals in Elk Fork. No fire crossed the highway to the north, and no spread likely occurred south up the Elk Fork drainage due to prevailing winds. Pumps were run in the Pagoda summer homes to raise humidity and wet fuels. One engine was left staffed to patrol the highway overnight,” says Incident Commander Jon Warder, Wyoming Type 3.
After Wyoming Highway Patrol determined the highway was safe to pass, it re-opened Highway 14 and the East Gate to Yellowstone National Park in the early morning hours.
Currently, over 100 personnel are assigned to the Clearwater Fire and are beginning a “rapid assessment of fire activity to evaluate what needs to be done to combat the wildfire. Aerial operations will include using a Type 1 helicopter to perform water drops to and unmanned aerial systems for mapping,” according to the Wyoming Type 3 media release.
“Resources will continue reducing fuels near lodges and summer homes in the Shoshone National Forest. Significant fuels reduction has occurred at the Bill Cody Ranch. Installation of sprinklers and other structure protection equipment will occur there today,” continues the media release.
Elk Fork Campground, Wapiti Campground, Wapiti Ranger Station are all closed.
The Clearwater Fire has not been the only fire contributing to the smoke in the air. Smoke from fires in Canada as well as Idaho and the Northwest have been a steady influence across the area for many days. Use the link above for ‘AirNow’ to check current conditions and try to plan your outdoor activities when air quality is at a tolerable level.
There are no fire restrictions in place on the Shoshone National Forest, however everyone is reminded to be vigilant about possible ignition sources that could cause a wildfire.
