(Bighorn National Forest) – In addition to the California wildfire smoke that is causing the ongoing Air Quality Alerts in Fremont County, the Crater Ridge Fire in the Medicine Wheel Ranger District of the Bighorn National Forest is also adding to the smoky conditions, and showing no signs of slowing down just yet.
The fire ignited on July 17th in a remote area, and quickly grew to 200 acres.
The Bighorn National Forest is heavily recreated in and numerous travel trailers were located in the area of the fire. To allow for the safe exit of the public and ease access for the firefighters the Forest implemented a closure in effect for much of the National Forest lands north of Highway 14 and east of the Big Horn/Sheridan County line.
The Rocky Mountain Type 2 Incident Management Blue Team was ordered and took command of the fire on Monday, July 19.
Fire leadership is making long-term plans for full suppression of the Crater Ridge fire as existing hazards, including difficult access, continuous fuels, and steep terrain prevent working directly along the fire’s edge.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect in Sheridan County and the Bighorn National Forest.
As of July 26th, fuels are drying and fire behavior is intensifying in the Cub Creek drainage.
Both Type 1 helicopters flew yesterday, delivering more than 70,000 gallons of water over areas of heat to slow the Fire’s advance, keeping it north of Cub Creek.
The Crater Ridge fire remains a full suppression fire, but strategically established indirect containment lines have been created and are being improved in anticipation of increased fire activity.