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Firefighters’ Prayers Answered With Snow Falling On Huge Wyoming Wildfires
Snow is finally falling on a pair of huge Wyoming wildfires. It’s literally the answer to the prayers of firefighters and locals living under the threat of the Elk and Pack Trail fires.
Renée JeanOctober 17, 2024
Opponents Say Proposed Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting Ban Is “Ballot-Box Biology”
Colorado voters on Nov. 5 will decide a proposed ban on mountain lion hunting. The ballot question has sparked a debate over what opponents call managing wildlife through “ballot-box biology.”
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2024
Spry Wyoming Doe Has Burn Marks To Prove She Outran Huge Elk Fire
A Sheridan-area resident said a mule deer doe showed up on his property bearing burn marks from having outrun the massive, fast-moving Elk Fire. The fire has burned more than 92,000 acres across the face of the Wyoming Bighorns.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2024
Sheridan Area Residents Cheer Forecast For 7-13 Inches Of Snow
People in Story and other communities along the Bighorns were literally cheering Wednesday when the weather forecast predicted 7-13 inches of snow. It will help, but it’s probably not a fire-killer.
Renée JeanOctober 16, 2024
Forest Service Won't Blow Up Dead Horses Due To Fire Danger
When a horse dies in the Wyoming backcountry, sometimes the best option is to blow it to pieces so it won’t attract grizzlies. In Wyoming right now, the U.S. Forest Service says the fire danger is too extreme to explode any dead backcountry horses.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2024
Massive Effort Building 7-Mile Line To Keep Elk Fire From Wyoming Towns
Firefighters have charred a 7-mile strip of ground between Big Horn and Story, starting from Goose Creek. It’s a buffer zone between Wyoming communities at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains that will act as a “catcher’s mitt” to stop the Elk Fire.
Renée JeanOctober 15, 2024
Elk, Pack Trail Fires Each Close In On 100,000 Acres, Snow Can’t Come Soon Enough
With Wyoming’s two active wildfires each closing in on 100,000 acres, snow expected for the end of the week can’t come soon enough. Even when it does, fire management officials say it won’t be enough to kill the Elk and Pack Trail fires.
Greg JohnsonOctober 15, 2024
Gang Of Raccoons Mobs Woman In Casper Hotel Parking Lot
A woman was mobbed by raccoons in a Casper hotel parking lot Sunday. A hotel employee said raccoons frequent the area, but don’t usually gang up on people.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2024
Townspeople Of Story, Wyoming, Rally To Protect Homes In Path Of Huge Wildfire
It's a monumental challenge, but townspeople in the forested community of Story are rallying together to rid the area of pine needles, pine cones, and other fire fuels as the 90,000-acre Elk Fire gets closer and closer.
Renée JeanOctober 14, 2024
Mountain Lions Gobble Up Pets And Four Goats In Story, Wyoming
Mountain lions are killing pets and livestock, including four goats, in and around the tiny Wyoming mountain town of Story. An area houndsman has stepped in to help chase the lions out.
Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2024
13 Aircraft Maintaining An All-Out Air Assault On 90,000-Acre Elk Fire
In addition to nearly 1,000 people fighting the Elk Fire on the ground, 13 aircraft are assigned to battle. It’s more than most fires get, and they’re maintaining an all-out aerial assault on the nearly 90,000-acre fire.
Renée JeanOctober 14, 2024
Group Of Horses May Have Been Left Homeless By Wyoming Wildfires
The owner of an animal rescue facility east of Cheyenne wants the previous owners of a mare, her foal, and another mare that's pregnant to know that the animals are safe and will be well-cared for. She wonders if they were forced to sell because of the wildfires.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2024
Casper Man Says Climbing A Tree Saved Him From Grizzly Attack
A Casper man says he’s living proof that climbing a tree can help someone survive a grizzly attack because he did it in the 1970s when a bear charged him. He says his two black Labs played a big role too as they kept the mama grizzly and her two cubs busy while they waited it out.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2024
Firefighting “Spike Camp” Near Burgess Junction Tackles Elk Fire From The West
The Elk Fire has burned about 87,000 acres on the Bighorn Mountains in northern Wyoming. While most of the attention has been the fire’s relentless push southeast, a firefighting “spike camp” near Burgess Junction is fighting it from the west.
Renée JeanOctober 13, 2024
Elk Fire Continues Its Southeast March, Grows Again To More Than 87,000 Acres
Like a column of soldiers, the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming continues its methodical — and at times seemingly relentless — march southeast. It’s grown again to more than 87,000 acres as of Sunday and a little less contained at 28%.
Greg JohnsonOctober 13, 2024
It Takes A Makeshift City To Support The Nearly 1,000 Elk Fire Firefighters
There are nearly 1,000 firefighters and support personnel assigned to the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team fighting the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming. It takes a makeshift city to support them all.
Renée JeanOctober 12, 2024
Wyoming's Two Ocean Creek Is Only Body Of Water That Flows Into Atlantic And Pacific
Parting of the Waters deep in the Teton Wilderness is a uniquely Wyoming wonder where Two Ocean Creek splits, flowing into both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It’s the only body of water on the planet to do that.
Andrew RossiOctober 12, 2024
Stubborn Elk Fire Grows To Nearly 85,000 Acres, But Now 32% Contained
The huge Elk Fire in northern Wyoming continues to be a stubborn, dangerous event, growing to nearly 85,000 acres by Saturday. But firefighters are making significant progress, achieving 32% containment.
Greg JohnsonOctober 12, 2024
Wyoming Hunters And Gun Owners Buck National Trend Of Not Voting
Nationwide apathy and distrust of government has caused a drop in hunters and gun owners registering to vote, reports Vote4America. But not in Wyoming, where hunters and gun owners buck that trend, likely because they feel supported by conservatives.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2024
The Hardest Part Of Making Jackalopes? Finding Enough Frozen Wyoming Jackrabbits
A Montana taxidermist who creates jackalope mounts says Wyoming jackrabbit carcasses are the best for them. But he’s having a hard time getting the 200-300 frozen carcasses a month he needs.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2024
Fiery Glow On Bighorns Overnight Was Intentional Burning To Slow Elk Fire
Another night of watching the Bighorn Mountains glow above them made some living in the shadow of the Elk Fire nervous overnight Thursday. But the huge, scary and dramatic column of fire was part of a plan to save Sheridan’s water supply, as well as slow the fire down.
Renée JeanOctober 11, 2024
Fast-Acting WYDOT Worker Spots New Wildfire, Calls 911, Then Helps Put It Out
An alert Wyoming Department of Transportation worker spotted a new wildfire taking off 7 miles north of Sheridan along I-90. He called 911, then jumped into action himself, helping to put it out before the fire became a catastrophe.
Renée JeanOctober 11, 2024
Wyoming Dog’s Death In Beaver Trap Inspires New Training Course
A Wyoming dog’s death in a beaver trap has inspired a first-of-its-kind training course for dogs. A trainer who already teaches dogs to avoid rattlesnakes and other dangers has added traps to the program.
Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2024
Elk Fire Breaking The Rules Of Wildfires And ‘Is Behaving Like A Teenager’
The strategists in charge of battling the huge 76,000-acre Elk Fire in northern Wyoming say the stubborn blaze is breaking the rules of wildfires. One said it even seems oppositional to authority and “is behaving like a teenager.”
Renée JeanOctober 10, 2024
Armed With A Hose And Weed Sprayer, Wyoming Man Defends His Home From Elk Fire
Warren Tritschler defended his home in the Horseshoe subdivision near Dayton from the Elk Fire with a garden hose and a weed sprayer. He’s one of the many so-called “Hillbilly Hotshots” determined to help fight the huge wildfire.
Renée JeanOctober 09, 2024
Gloriously Plump Mama Crowned Queen Of ‘Fat Bear Week’
Alaska brown bears gorge themselves on salmon for the upcoming winter, oblivious they’re competing for a coveted title — Fat Bear Week champion. This year’s winner is Grazer, a bulked-out bruin that ate her way to back-to-back titles.
Mark HeinzOctober 09, 2024
Pack Trail Fire Still Growing In Northwest Wyoming, Now At 66,000 Acres
Much of Wyoming is watching the Elk Fire, which has threatened communities in Sheridan County. But the Pack Trail Fire started first in rugged northwest Wyoming. It’s at 66,000 acres and still growing.
October 09, 2024
Steamboat, World’s Largest Geyser, Erupts For Fifth Time This Year
Steamboat Geyser, the largest in Yellowstone and the world, erupted for the fifth time this year Monday. After six years of active eruptions, volcanologists say Steamboat seems to be losing some steam.
Andrew RossiOctober 09, 2024
Mob Of 100 Hungry Raccoons Drives Woman From Her Home
After 100 raccoons invaded a Washington woman’s property and drove her from her home, things could end badly for the raccoons. Wyoming wildlife experts say it’s a lesson on why you shouldn’t feed wild animals.
Mark HeinzOctober 09, 2024
Firefighters Hold Off Elk Fire As It Threatens Sheridan’s Water Supply
As the 76,000-acre Elk Fire continues to be active and push southeast along the face of the Bighorn Mountains, it’s threatening Sheridan’s water supply. The fire made a run at the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant early Wednesday.
Greg JohnsonOctober 09, 2024
Rural Wyomingites — AKA Hotshot Hillbillies — Help Save 1887 Double Rafter Ranch
The Double Rafter Ranch has been a fixture in northern Wyoming since 1887. It’s still there, thanks in part to the local Hillbilly Hotshots — a group of self-appointed rancher-firefighters — who helped save it from the Elk Fire.
Renée JeanOctober 08, 2024
Wyoming Search And Rescue Team Recovers Body From Remote Colorado Peak
After Colorado teams twice tried to recover a man’s body from a remote mountain peak, Teton County Search and Rescue recovered his remains last week. The Wyoming team had the right equipment and training to help bring closure for his family.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2024
Climbing A Tree To Escape A Grizzly Not The Best Idea, Outdoorsmen Say
In yet another conflict between a hunter and grizzly bears, a Montana man tried climbing a tree to escape one Saturday. It didn’t work. Grizzlies can climb too, and the hunter had to shoot the bear.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2024
“These Guys Are Heroes”: Locals Praise Crews Fighting 75,000-Acre Elk Fire
As firefighting crews continue to make progress on stemming the growth of the huge 75,000-acre Elk Fire in northeast Wyoming, locals are noticing. “These guys are heroes in my mind,” one lifelong Dayton resident said Tuesday.
Greg JohnsonOctober 08, 2024
Black Bear With Cubs Killed After Breaking Into Colorado Home
A black bear with three cubs broke into a Colorado couple’s home, attacked and injured a man. Game agents killed all four bears.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2024
Why Wyoming Jackrabbits Are “Predatory” Animals, On Par With Coyotes And Wolves
In Wyoming, Jackrabbits are classified as “predatory” animals, on par with coyotes and wolves in about 85% of the state. It’s not because they kill livestock, but because they can devastate crops.
Mark HeinzOctober 07, 2024
Huge Wildfire Is Hammering ‘Elk Factory’ In Bighorns, Ruins This Year’s Hunting
The massive 73,000-acre Elk Fire near Dayton, Wyoming, has all but ruined the elk and deer hunting season in some premier areas. It's hammering the "elk factory" that is the Bighorns.
Mark HeinzOctober 07, 2024
Crews “Ready To Go On The Offensive” Fighting Huge 73,000-Acre Elk Fire
For the first time since the Elk Fire literally blew up overnight more than a week ago, firefighters on Monday said they are preparing to attack the 73,000-acre wildfire rather than react to it. "We’re ready to go on the offense," one firefighter said.
Greg JohnsonOctober 07, 2024
How Mardy Murie, Wyoming’s Grandmother Of Conservation, Inspired The Wilderness Act
From Alaska to Wyoming, Margaret “Mardy” Murie and her family were advocates for keeping the wilderness wild. Known as the Grandmother of Conservation, she and husband Olaus helped inspire the Wilderness Act.
Jackie DorothyOctober 06, 2024
Wyoming Inmates Put To Work During Heartbreaking Wildfire Season
With more than 700,000 acres burned due to wildfires across the state of Wyoming, resources are tapped. Thankfully a crew of inmates known as the Smokebusters are helping the firefighters. So far, they have worked on 26 fires in eight counties.
Jen KocherOctober 06, 2024
Elk Fire Now At 74,000 Acres And Still Out Of Control, But Some Signs Of Hope
The Elk Fire burning in northern Wyoming remains out of control, dangerous and unpredictable. It’s now at 74,000 acres and growing, but some signs of hope as rancher says “positive energy” helped save her ranch.
Greg JohnsonOctober 06, 2024
Forest Service Shouldn’t Trade ‘Hidden Oasis’ Of Prime Hunting Land, Critics Say
Critics of a pending land exchange say a remote and rugged piece of federal land in the Laramie Range mountains is a paradise for hunters, and the U.S. Forest Service should keep it. It’s prime elk and bighorn sheep habitat – accessible only by foot or horseback.
Mark HeinzOctober 05, 2024
Ian Munsick Starts GoFundMe to Help His Hometown Communities With The Elk Fire
Although country superstar Ian Munsick is performing at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper on Saturday, his mind is on the Elk Fire -- which is threatening the communities in northern Wyoming where he grew up. Munsick's GoFundMe has already topped the $50,000 goal and is growing.
Renée JeanOctober 05, 2024
Wyoming 14-Year-Old Bowhunter Has Banner Season, Gets Elk, Deer And Antelope
As October begins, many hunters are just getting started filling their tags for Wyoming’s three premier big game species – antelope, deer and elk. Coy Monroe, a 14-year-old from Encampment, is way ahead of everyone -- having already bagged all three, with his bow.
Mark HeinzOctober 05, 2024
As Elk Fire Rages, Dayton Watches While Mountain Above “Just Glowing Orange”
Folks in rural Dayton, Wyoming, were awakened at 3 a.m. Saturday and told to be ready to evacuate. Meanwhile, all they can do is watch as the Mountain above them is “just glowing orange.”
Greg JohnsonOctober 05, 2024
Montana Man, 81, Gets Prison For Scheme To Create Huge Hybrid Bighorn Sheep
An 81-year-old Montana man was sentenced to six months in prison this week for trying to create huge hybrid bighorn sheep using “Jurassic Park”-like techniques.
Mark HeinzOctober 04, 2024
Wyoming’s Pack Trail, Elk Fires Are Top Wildfire Priorities In Region
The Pack Trail Fire has burned nearly 20,000 acres in the Shoshoni National Forest and is expecting high winds to continue throughout the weekend. It and the Elk Fire in Sheridan County are the No. 1 wildfire priorities in the region.
Renée JeanOctober 04, 2024
In Brief: Grizzly Killed For Killing Dog, Raiding Camps In Beartooth Mountains
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says it killed a young male grizzly that was raiding camps in the Beartooth Mountains, then killed a hiker’s dog.
Mark HeinzOctober 04, 2024
No End In Sight For Folks In Path Of 51,000-Acre Elk Fire In Northern Wyoming
It may seem a little like “Groundhog Day” for folks in northern Wyoming in the path of the Elk Fire. The 51,000-acre wildfire is still uncontained, unpredictable and more of the same is expected.
Greg JohnsonOctober 04, 2024
Uncollared Wolf Spotted In Colorado May Have Come From Wyoming
An uncollared wolf spotted in northern Colorado has sparked controversy. Wildife officials say it’s lone pup from a pack they trapped, but others think it’s an adult from Wyoming.
Mark HeinzOctober 03, 2024
Man Who Killed Mountain Lion With A Shovel Says It Came At Him ‘Low And Fast’
A man who killed a mountain lion with a shovel told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that he has no doubt the lion was trying to kill his dog. It came at them both “low and fast.”
Mark HeinzOctober 03, 2024
Elk Fire Now 50,000 Acres, Spreading “In All Directions” In Northern Wyoming
The unpredictable and dangerous Elk Fire burning west of Dayton and Parkman in northern Wyoming has grown to 50,000 acres. It’s also spreading “in all directions.”
Greg JohnsonOctober 03, 2024
Colorado Man Kills Mountain Lion With Shovel To Keep It From Eating His Dog
A Colorado man killed a mountain lion with a shovel to keep it from eating his dog last week, wildlife officials reported Wednesday. It’s an impressive feat, an experienced Wyoming mountain lion hunter said.
Mark HeinzOctober 03, 2024
Gillette Welder Commutes To Alaska, Works Next To Polar Bears
Gillette's Tex McBride has an interesting commute. For two- to three-week stretches, he heads up to the North Slope of Alaska where he welds for an Arctic drilling company and frequently sees polar bears. “They’re frickin’ huge," he says. "It's frickin' awesome."
Mark HeinzOctober 02, 2024
More Evacuations Ordered As Huge Wildfire Threatens Northern Wyoming Towns
Winds have blown the 32,000-acre Elk Fire toward the northern Wyoming town of Parkman, while also threatening nearby Dayton. Additional evacuations have been ordered with the weather forecast calling for even more wind.
Greg JohnsonOctober 02, 2024
Bear-Proof Fence, “Grizzly Drills” Just Routine At Wyoming’s Wapiti School
Wapiti Elementary School west of Cody is like many other rural Wyoming schools — except its surrounded by a bear-resistant fence. Teachers running “grizzly drills” with kids is part of the routine.
Mark HeinzOctober 01, 2024
At 18,000 Acres And No Containment, Reinforcements Called In For Pack Trail Fire
After blowing up to 18,000 acres with 0% containment, the Pack Trail Fire has prompted evacuations and closures. Reinforcements are on the way, with a complex incident management team on the way.
Renée JeanOctober 01, 2024
Dayton Watched As Mountain Above Them Burned
Not many of Dayton, Wyoming’s, 830 residents got much sleep Sunday night as they watched the Elk Fire burn down the mountain face above them. The fire didn’t get to the town, but has grown to about 32,000 acres.
Greg JohnsonOctober 01, 2024
Wyoming Legislators Stop Short Of Banning Running Over Wolves With Snowmobiles
Despite calls to criminalize running down Wyoming wolves with snowmobiles, a legislative committee Monday advanced a bill that stops short of banning it. It would require the animal to be immediately killed if run down.
Mark HeinzSeptember 30, 2024
Wildfire Rages To 18,000 Acres In Bridger-Teton Forest, Pulling Crews Off Nearby Fire
A lightning strike deep in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest blew up overnight Sunday to nearly 18,000 acres. It also prompted new evacuation orders for Brooks Lake and Lava Mountain Lodges, as well as ranches and the KOA campground.
Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2024