Crater Ridge Fire

Acreage: 6,502
Containment: 75%
Personnel: 61

Recent warm, dry, and windy days have contributed to more active fire behavior since Labor Day. Growth has remained slight as most areas are surrounded by already burnt timber and air resources were able to check further spread. Ongoing pockets of activity may continue to be visible on warm and dry days in the near future.

Despite the return of visible smoke, crews led by Wyoming Team 3 safely extended containment in the first part of the week and throughout their assignment. They were also able to repair areas impacted by earlier suppression efforts.

“Crews were able to hold on, monitor, and put air resources on a fire that became more active in the last few days,” said Incident Commander trainee Joshua McGee.

This success, including rapid response to new activity, was made possible through the support of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security. Their communication team helps provide reliable radio coverage to incident management teams within the state of Wyoming.

A Type 4 Incident Commander assumed command on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 6 am. Future information about the fire will be posted to U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest page and forest staff will now handle information requests about the fire. Further updates will only be published if needed.

County Fire Restrictions
* For fire restriction information in counties throughout Wyoming, see: https://wsfd.wyo.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions

National Forest Closures and Fire Restrictions
* For current fire restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.

* The Bighorn National Forest’s fire area closure has been modified to improve public access and maintain firefighter and public safety. View the order and map at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices

Photo 1: A firefighter dousing a tree with a portable pump.
Photo 2: A small smoke column rising above the fire area.
Photo 3: Wyoming Office of Homeland Security communications specialists loading equipment.

Since Crater Ridge started in mid-July, two helicopters have been a constant presence in the airspace above the fire. They will be remaining in Sheridan as the incident is handed off from a type 3 team to a type 4 incident commander.

In the fire world, a type 1 helicopter is the heaviest. Crater Ridge’s stalwart type 1 has been 5AJ. A Chinook CH-47 helitanker, this ship can make large drops in wilder and windier conditions. During Labor Day’s flare-up, she and her crew ferried water throughout the day to help calm new fire activity.

In contrast, 0HX is a nimble and versatile AStar B3 from John Day, Oregon. Like most type 3 helicopters, she has a diversity of assigned duties from being ready for medical evacuations to longline hauling to bucket drops to aerial reconnaissance.

Unlike their machines, helicopter crews have had to rotate off and on the fire like other firefighters. The current helitack crew flying in 0HX is officially affiliated with Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. But crew members have filled in from home units in Michigan, Colorado, Illinois, and Arkansas.

As Crater Ridge continues to smolder, keep your eyes on the horizon and you might see one of them headed out to make a drop or scout fire activity. And always remember, if you fly, they can’t.

Photo: 0HX takes off in the evening to return to Sheridan.

Update on the recent activity:
In the early afternoon, a dry cold front passed through the fire area as forecast bringing strong winds and drier air.

Around 3:30 pm columns became visible in two neighboring parts of the fire. Over the next two-plus hours, about 70 acres in a previously untouched finger of timber inside the fire perimeter above Cub Creek. At the same time, about 30 new acres burned on itself. Aerial resources succeeded in checking more growth before the fire laid down for the evening.

Crews will be in those areas tomorrow to see if fire growth continued overnight and what work needs to be done.

Photos: Views of smoke columns from multiple locations on the ridgelines of the Bighorn Mountains. Including from an aerial operations helispot.

What looks like a single plume from US-14A is actually two.

A recon flight by a type 3 helicopter is currently en route to assess new fire activity whipped up on this Red Flag afternoon and help decide what resources may be needed.

More information as soon as it is available.

Photos: Various angles of new fire activity and smoke plumes on the fire this afternoon taken from Forest Service Road 11 and 14.

Good morning, the Crater Ridge Fire remained at 6,232 acres over the weekend. Containment grew to 74% however even as personnel continued to right-size leaving only 63 firefighters assigned to the fire.

Firefighters spent most of the weekend engaged in suppression repair and backhauling equipment. On Sunday, the type 3 helicopter made multiple water drops on active smokes within the fire.

Crews will continue suppression repair work and monitor fire activity. A Type 4 incident commander will begin shadowing the current team on Monday, September 6 and assume command on Wednesday, September 8.

Fire Conditions and Weather:
* Labor Day, September 6 – Highs will be in the low 70s with very low relative humidity. With the passage of a dry cold front, winds will gust to near 30 mph later in the day. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the Bighorn Mountains and fire area from noon to 9 pm.
* Tuesday, September 7 – Sunny and cooler. Winds will be calmer with sustained speeds between 8 and 16 mph. Highs will be in the mid-60s.

County Fire Restrictions:
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Sheridan County, where the fire is located. For fire restriction information in counties throughout Wyoming, see https://wsfd.wyo.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions

National Forest Closures and Fire Restrictions:
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn National Forest. For current fire restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
* The Bighorn National Forest’s fire area closure has been modified to improve public access and maintain firefighter and public safety. View the order and map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices

Photo: Panorama of Cub Creek drainage showing isolated smokes in rough timber and canyons on Saturday, September 4, 2021.

Good evening!

A short post from Crater Ridge before tomorrow's update.

Size of the fire remains unchanged with minimal activity. Crews continued to focus on backhauling equipment off the line.

However, a Red Flag warning has been issued for the Bighorn Mountains and most of northern Wyoming and neighboring parts of Montana for tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Low humidity and high temperatures and winds can make any fire behave erratically.

Stay safe tomorrow and remember: one less spark, one less wildfire.

Photo: A buck rail fence built by crews to block off recovering areas after suppression repair.

Crews have run into a number of camps set up within the boundary of the current closure order, so we'd like to remind everyone that the closure is in place to protect public and firefighter safety. Please observe all road closures and exercise caution when traveling on recently reopened routes.

For a more detailed look at the closure order or to download the closure map, check out the last closure announcement on the Bighorn National Forest website: https://go.usa.gov/xMrPS.

Good evening from the Crater Ridge Fire. The fire remains at 6,232 acres and is 67% contained.

Today, firefighters from Rattlesnake LLC and Grizzly Peak hand crew completed suppression repair in the Mann Creek drainage. Fire suppression repair is a series of immediate actions taken to repair damages from suppression efforts and and to return the affected area to pre-fire conditions as much as possible. This work takes place along hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones and drop points used during fire suppression effort. Crews will continue suppression repair efforts tomorrow.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Good morning and welcome to the Labor Day weekend update from the Crater Ridge Fire.

While terrain remains inaccessible in many areas, firefighters were able to address hot spots in areas they’ve not yet been yesterday. Suppression repair work also continues. As containment increases, crews are beginning to pull equipment, such as hoses and water tanks, off the line.

Over the weekend, the team will continue to evaluate areas to engage firefighters for additional containment while pressing on with suppression repair work. Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 will prepare to turn the incident over to the appropriate level of incident management at the end of its 14-day rotation. As operations wind down, the team will reduce the number of updates distributed and fire information boards in the area.

Stats:
Acreage: 6,232
Containment: 61%
Personnel: 100

Fire Conditions and Weather:
Friday – Showers, with a chance of thunderstorms, are possible through the afternoon. Highs in the mid-50s. West winds 6 to 14 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon, with some gusts up to 20 mph.
Saturday – Sunny. Lows in the lower 40s. Highs in the low 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 18 mph.
Sunday – Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds around 10 mph.

County Fire Restrictions:
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Sheridan County, where the fire is located. For fire restriction information in counties throughout Wyoming, see: https://wsfd.wyo.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions

National Forest Closures and Fire Restrictions:
- Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn National Forest. For current fire restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
- The Bighorn National Forest’s fire area closure has been modified to improve public access and maintain firefighter and public safety. View the order and map at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices

Photo 1: A water tender traveling up FS 11. Even though that road is now open to the public be aware of large vehicles and heavy equipment while using it.

Here's a closer look at the new closure area announced and effective this morning. Forest Road 11, also known as Sheep Mountain Road, is open, but it's important to remember that all points east of the road between its junction with Forest Road 14 and just north of its junction with Forest Road 111 are still within the closure area. For the safety of firefighters and yourself, please observe all road closures and exercise caution when traveling on recently reopened routes as fire traffic continues.
U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,232
Containment: 52%
Personnel: 116

Yesterday, crews successfully engaged flare-ups caused by warmer and drier weather earlier in the week. Firefighters also laid hose around a 4-acre spot fire near Lodge Grass Creek, and air resources dropped buckets on spots above Cub Creek.

This morning, Bighorn National Forest announced a reduction of the closure area around the fire that will take effect today. A closure order remains in effect for areas and roads near the fire. For the sake of firefighter safety and your own, please observe all road closure signs.

See today’s full update on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7685/
U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Acreage: 6,232
Containment: 52%
Personnel: 132

Current Situation-
* High temperatures and low relative humidity increased fire behavior a bit, and firefighters used aviation assets to chase down hot spots.
* Crews completed most dozer repair work, making great progress on Boyd Ridge Road (Forest Road 110).
* Infrared flight conducted Tuesday showed a significant reduction in heat signatures over the fire area compared to the last flight one week ago.

Operational plan for today-
* Crews will take action against flare-ups spotted on the north side of the fire on Tuesday.
* Firefighters will continue to pull equipment – including hose lays on the south side of the fire.

Fire Conditions and Weather-
* Today is expected to be cooler after a cold front has moved into the fire area.
* Winds are expected to be lighter today.
* On slopes and in valleys, south winds ranging from 6 to 14 mph will shift to the northeast in the afternoon and increase slightly to 8 to 16 mph.
* Ridgetops will see southwesterly winds around 20 mph.

County Fire Restrictions-
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Sheridan County, where the fire is located. For fire restriction information in counties throughout Wyoming, see https://wsfd.wyo.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions

National Forest Closures and Fire Restrictions-
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn National Forest. For current fire restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
* The Bighorn National Forest’s fire area closure is still in effect for firefighter and public safety. View the order and map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices/?aid=67523

Photos:
1) An incident helicopter takes off with a bucket to drop water hotspots found during a recon flight

2) Hotspots smoking in Cub Creek drainage.

Acreage: 6,232
Containment: 52%
Personnel: 133

Current Situation-
• Firefighters made good progress with direct tactics on Monday at Mann Creek, Cub Creek, and south of FS Road 111 toward Pumpkin Creek.
• Crews completed repair of dozer line on the north end of the fire.

Operational plan for today-
• Fire crews will continue direct action where terrain and conditions allow.
• Other firefighters and equipment will repair areas impacted by suppression activity in the southeast half of the fire.

Fire Conditions and Weather-
• Today is forecast to be the hottest day of the week with sunny weather, temperatures in the mid-70s, and relative humidity below 20%.
• Upslope winds will be 10-15 mph with afternoon gusts up to 30 mph.
• Warm, dry, and windy conditions could lead to more active fire behavior, especially in heavy fuels which may hold residual heat.
• Beginning this evening, a dry cold front will bring gusty ridgetop winds.

County Fire Restrictions-
• Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Sheridan County, where the fire is located. For fire restriction information in counties throughout Wyoming, see: https://wsfd.wyo.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions

National Forest Closures and Fire Restrictions-
• Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn National Forest. For current fire restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
• The Bighorn National Forest’s fire area closure is still in effect for firefighter and public safety. View the order and map at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices/?aid=67523

Photo: Fire crews debrief after a safety exercise on Boyd Ridge on August 30, 2021.

Acreage: 6,232 acres
Containment: 52%
Personnel: 135

Current Situation-
* Firefighters attacked the fire directly by laying hose to wet and cool the ground along the southeastern perimeter of the fire.
* Crews addressed hotspots along the northeast perimeter of the fire.
* On the north perimeter, firefighters began suppression repair work.

Operational plan for today-
* In an effort to increase containment, firefighters will continue to seek out and attack isolated hot spots.
* Suppression repair work will continue along containment lines.

Fire Conditions and Weather
* Today will be mostly sunny and dry.
* Upslope winds of 6-10 mph with occasional afternoon thermal gusts in the 20- to 30-mph range are expected.
* Ridgetop winds will increase Monday night.

County Fire Restrictions-
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Sheridan County, where the fire is located. For fire restriction information in counties throughout Wyoming, see https://wsfd.wyo.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions

National Forest Closures and Fire Restrictions-
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn National Forest. For current fire restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
* The Bighorn National Forest’s fire area closure is still in effect for firefighter and public safety. View the order and map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices/?aid=67523

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,232
Containment: 52%
Personnel: 139

Fire behavior was minimal on Saturday due to cooler temperatures and higher humidity, allowing crews to increase containment. Crews will continue the work they’ve been doing in accessible areas of the fire and begin suppression repair where appropriate.

A closure order remains in effect for areas and roads near the fire. For the sake of firefighter safety and your own, please observe all road closure signs.

See today’s full update on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7685/

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Acres: 6,232
Containment: 42%
Personnel: 164

Current Situation
* Minimal fire behavior yesterday made for a pretty quiet day on the fire.
* Crews continued to attack the fire directly along the north, northeast and south perimeters and were able to secure more of the fire’s perimeter.
* In the interest of firefighter and public safety, a closure order remains in effect for areas near the fire. The closure area impacts access on Forest Roads 11, 110, 111, 112, 125, 144, 145, 147 and Forest Trails 004, 006, 050, 074, 076, 096, 428, and 429.

Operational plan for today
* Firefighters will take advantage of cooler weather to continue their direct attack in priority areas.
* Crews will also begin working in the unsecured area north of Forest Road 111.

Fire Conditions and Weather
* Saturday will be cooler with humidity only falling to around 50 percent.
* Occasional showers will continue through the morning, then decrease Saturday afternoon.
* Winds will not be overly strong, with ridgetop gusts generally staying below 20 mph.

County Fire Restrictions
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Sheridan County, where the fire is located. For fire restriction information in counties throughout Wyoming, see https://wsfd.wyo.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions

National Forest Closures and Fire Restrictions
* Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn National Forest. For current fire restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
* The Bighorn National Forest’s fire area closure is still in effect for firefighter and public safety. View the order and map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices/?aid=67523

Photo: Recent hail at the incident command post

Good afternoon from Crater Ridge Fire.

Here is the latest map that more clearly shows the progress made over the past couple of days.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 27, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,232
Containment: 35%
Personnel: 199

Crews made good progress again yesterday, increasing containment on the fire perimeter.

Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the incident at 6 a.m.

Read today’s Fact Sheet for more information.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 26, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,232
Containment: 29%
Personnel: 179

Yesterday, firefighters had another productive day working the fire’s edge where terrain allows along the north, northeast, and southeast perimeter. Crews will continue more of this same work today.

Wyoming Type 3 IMT Team 2 will shadow Team 1 today and will assume command of the incident 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Read today’s Fact Sheet for more information.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 25, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,232
Containment: 29%
Personnel: 178

Firefighters took advantage of reduced fire activity yesterday by working the fire’s edge where possible along the north and southeast perimeter. Crews continued scouting north and northeast of the fire, looking for strategic areas to construct direct and indirect fire lines. An infrared flight detected new heat sources, which led to a small increase in the size of the fire.

Today, firefighters will continue to take advantage of reduced fire activity by going direct where they can and cold trailing and mopping up hot spots. Across the Wyoming border into Montana, Crews will continue scouting out opportunities for direct and indirect fire line north and northeast of the fire. Cold trailing and mopup along the dozer line off of Boyd Ridge will also continue.

Read today’s Fact Sheet for more information.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 24, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,123
Containment: 28%
Personnel: 170

Firefighters were able to continue construction on direct firelines on the north and southeast fire perimeters yesterday. A drone equipped with an infrared camera was utilized to assist firefighters in detecting hot spots along and outside the fire perimeter. Cold trailing and mop up continued to reinforce containment lines.

Firefighters will continue to take advantage of the milder conditions and minimal fire activity by going direct where they can and cold trailing and mopping up hot spots. Others will continue scouting north and northeast of the fire near and across the Wyoming border into Montana to look for strategic areas to construct direct and indirect firelines as they develop a tactical plan to limit the fire spread in the event conditions should align causing the fire to progress further north.

Fire activity was minimal, and the fire acreage did not increase. Despite minimal fire activity, heat remains within the fire perimeter, and the fire will become more active as the days continue to get warmer and drier.

Read today’s Fact Sheet for more information.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 23, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,123
Containment: 28%
Personnel: 189

Crews continued their work on the north perimeter cold trailing and mopping up hot spots while scouting for locations to construct additional direct and indirect firelines. On the southeast, firefighters continued constructing and securing firelines along Boyd Ridge. Hoselays were established to provide water along containment lines to support holding and mop up operations. They will continue this work today.

There are two Wildland Fire Modules, each working in separate Divisions (areas of operation) B and D, above the north fire perimeter. They are scouting the area and will develop tactical plans to limit the fire from spreading to the north. Division B is a new area of operation north of the Wyoming border.

Wildland Fire Modules consists of an 8 to 10-person firefighter crew that specialize in all aspects of fire intelligence gathering such as perimeter mapping, line placement, structure protection triage, planning, and implementation actions. Whether a firefighter is a smokejumper or part of a Hot Shot, Type 1 or Type 2 crew, all are an integral part of the firefighting effort.

Read today’s Fact Sheet for more information.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

FB Post

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 22, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 6,123
Containment: 30%
Personnel: 226

Hot and dry conditions with erratic gusty winds hit the fire last Tuesday, August 17 resulting in extreme fire behavior. The full extent of the fire spread was unknown in the days following as rain, snow and heavy fog entered the fire area making it impossible to recon the fire from the air.

Firefighters had limited access as they worked over the past two days. That limited access did provide some idea of fire growth, but firefighters suspected the growth was far greater from what they could see on the ground. Those suspicions were confirmed yesterday when air resources flew to GPS the fire perimeter and detect heat sources using infrared to provide an accurate read on the fire perimeter. The confirmed acreage is now 6,123 acres.

Firefighters will continue along the northern and eastern fire perimeters constructing direct and indirect firelines where possible and reinforce existing firelines by cold trailing and mopping up hot spots. The objectives are to keep the fire from crossing the Wyoming/Montana border on the north and holding the fire at Boyd Ridge on the east.

Read today’s Fact Sheet for more information.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 21, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 4,343
Containment: 30%
Personnel: 214

Firefighters woke up yesterday to snow on the ground, slick road conditions and visibility limited to about 300 feet due to a heavy fog that had settled into the area. These conditions kept most firefighters from travelling to the fire. Crews in spike camps higher up the mountain were able to get to the line on the north and patrol the area. Limited visibility prevented them from working on the fire, but they did see some smoke, showing despite recent precipitation, the fire remains active. Firefighters scouting the east side by Boyd Ridge also detected smoke.

Firefighters woke up this morning to sunny and partial cloudy skies. Firefighters will head to Boyd Ridge if roads are accessible to continue constructing and securing containment lines along the ridge. Hoselays will be laid out along the dozer line as well as cold trailing and mop up. Firefighters will also head to the north perimeter to cold trail and mop up firelines and scout out the area for opportunities to construct additional direct and indirect fireline to keep the fire from spreading further.

(Note, attached map is from yesterday as the information won't change until we get new GPS and infrared data of the fire area from an aerial flight. We anticipate that will occur sometime today.)

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Today's Fact Sheet stated the fire received .15" of rain yesterday. That has been updated to .77" of rain after adding the overnight precipitation! This is great news and the reprieve has been beneficial. However, the weather forecast calls for a warming trend starting this weekend, so it won't take long for everything to dry out.

Firefighters at the Incident Command Post located off U.S. Hwy 14A woke up to about a quarter inch of snow, which means those staying in spike camps located higher up in elevation likely had a little more. Firefighters always come prepared for cold and inclement weather and additional supplies are available to them.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 20, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 4,343
Containment: 30%
Personnel: 211

Firefighters were hampered by low visibility but continued to make steady progress on locating hot spots, mopping up and constructing direct and indirect firelines along FSR 111 and where it crossed the road to the north. Dozer line construction on the east perimeter to tie into the FSR 110 indirect line continued around the fire that crossed Mann Creek onto Boyd Ridge.

The fire area received .15” of rain yesterday. The rain and cooler temperatures are helping some, but the fire remains active, especially under tree canopies where the rain has not reached the ground.

The Crater Ridge Fire map has not shown any changes since this past Tuesday. This is due to the inability to get an infrared (IR) flight, which provides the data to get an accurate outline of the fire perimeter. A flight will occur when weather conditions improve and the skies over the fire area have cleared.

The increase in acreage is based on information provided by firefighters on the ground as they search for hot spots and assess the fire area to determine where to construct additional direct and indirect firelines. An updated containment percentage will also occur once we have an accurate reading on the fire perimeter from the IR flight.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Many generous offers for donations to support firefighters occur from communities affected by wildland fires. The offer is truly appreciated; however, firefighters are fully supported to include water, electrolyte drinks, food, Nomex (fire protective clothing), sleeping bags, medical supplies, firefighting equipment, and much more.

One option to support and show appreciation to firefighters is to reach out to your local volunteer fire department. Often, they need funding, supplies, and volunteers!

Thank you for your kind words of appreciation and support to our firefighters.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest

Crater Ridge Fire Daily Update, August 19, 2021

Good Morning from Crater Ridge Fire

Acres: 4,343
Containment: 30%
Personnel: 185

Firefighters scouted out the area where the fire crossed FSR 111 yesterday to determine the location of the fire and for access opportunities to construct direct and indirect firelines. A dozer started cutting a fireline in the area where the fire crossed FSR 110 to tie it into the existing indirect fireline and keep the fire from spreading further. Today’s weather forecast calls for a high percent chance of wetting rain through Friday. It’s hard to say how much will reach the fire but firefighters are hoping for the best.

Despite firefighter efforts, two Forest Service-administered structures were lost on the east side of the fire due to Tuesday’s extreme fire behavior.

The extreme erratic fire behavior and rate of spread to the north and the south seen this past Tuesday demonstrated the need for the current Fire Area Closure. Hot and dry conditions will return and what moisture is gained from current precipitation will be gone quickly.

Despite the precipitation, it’s anticipated that this fire will be a long-term event until there is a season ending event such as a heavy snowfall.

Firefighters will seek and contain hot spots today while scouting for opportunities to construct direct and indirect fireline on the north, while dozer line construction continues in the Boyd Ridge drainage.

U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest