Did That Snow Help Wyoming Firefighters?

The following was posted by the National Forest Service as snow fell on the Elk Fire in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming.

Evening Operations Update

Moisture persisted over the #Elkfire through the afternoon and into the evening, resulting in no fire activity today.

The southern side of the fire received 0.4 inches of rain, while the northern end saw 1 inch. To put it in perspective, about 13 inches of snow typically equals 1 inch of rain.

Firefighters also focused on winterizing almost 250 portable pumps but were pulled off the line early due to safety concerns around the weather.

An additional 2-5 inches of snow is expected to fall in the fire area tonight (Thursday).

All personnel have been safely relocated to hotels, motels, the Sheridan Fairgrounds, and Sheridan Community College.

Tomorrow's (Friday's) operations will be delayed for safety reasons. With no night shift planned, tomorrow’s first update will come later in the morning, likely as the Daily Update.

While this moisture offers some much-needed relief, it’s only temporary.

Firefighters remain ready to respond to the warmer, drier conditions anticipated over the next week.

Temporary as it might be this weather does give firefighters some much-needed rest, at least for a night.

This also gives them an advantage by not having to fight in the warmer and dryer conditions we have been experiencing for the past month.

Forecasters expect another, similar wet system next weekend.