Massive wildfire in Wyoming spreads to over 75,000 acres

A massive wildfire continues to rage in Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest, growing to more than 75,000 acres as of Wednesday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The Moose Fire, originally sparked by lightning, threatens surrounding communities, infrastructure and critical resources.

More than 829 firefighters and other personnel have been deployed to fight the fire as containment efforts are intensified. The fire is only 16 percent contained, leaving officials and residents on high alert as they prepare for possible evacuations.

Increased fire behavior was reported early Wednesday morning due to strong winds and low humidity. Around 3 a.m., gusty winds increased fire activity northwest of the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant, the U.S. Forest Service said in a post on Facebook. Firefighters working the night shift, including a bulldozer, a hotshot crew and eight locomotives, were quickly on the scene.

“The weather will be warmer and drier today and the fire is likely to be more active. Numerous aircraft are responsible for the incident and will drop water and fire extinguishers,” the post continues.

A community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Bighorn and Story areas where firefighters and agency representatives will provide an update on firefighting efforts and address concerns about evacuation plans and protective measures, the U.S. Forest Service said.

Participants will be informed about the current status of the fire and evacuations and will also have the opportunity to ask questions to authorities and fire department managers.

Firefighters continue to battle the fire on multiple fronts, with a focus on containing and protecting critical infrastructure. High activity continues on the north side of the fire, particularly near steep drainages that are producing heavy smoke near Little Bighorn Canyon.

On Tuesday, a crew conducted strategic firing and aircraft dropped fire retardant along 144 Street. Crews will continue to prepare this area Wednesday and additional fire operations to protect the canyon are planned.

Containment efforts are progressing slowly, with containment on the northeast side of the fire increasing from 10 percent to 16 percent over the past day. Firefighters have established both natural and artificial containment lines to prevent further spread.

Firefighters face difficult conditions as unseasonably hot and dry weather is expected on Wednesday, with southwest winds of up to 20 miles per hour. Dry vegetation in the area remains highly flammable and is contributing to increased fire activity and smoke, particularly on the west and south sides of the fire.

Residents concerned about air quality are encouraged to check the AirNow website (airnow.gov) for updates. The Sheridan County Sheriff's Office downgraded the evacuation status for certain areas on Tuesday.

The zone, which includes Slack Road near the Montana border and extends southwest toward the Kern Elk Refuge, has been moved from a “Go” to “Set” evacuation status. Although the situation has improved slightly, residents are urged to remain vigilant and be prepared for possible changes.

This wildfire, now the largest in the Bighorn National Forest in over a century, continues to pose a significant threat to the region as fire crews work tirelessly to contain it.

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