Snow Could Provide Wyoming Fire Relief Later This Week

Hang in just a few more days and there should be some relief in sight for Wyoming's firefighters and those of us sick of all this freaking smoke.

There is a good chance of rain on Thursday the 17th and even a chance of snow, in the high country, on from the 18th of October.

These weather systems should hit Wyoming's most fire-stricken areas.

That includes the Elk Fire in the northern eastern part of the Bighorns and the Fish Creek and Pack Train fires in Togwotee Pass on the western side of the state.

There will not be enough moisture to put out the fires but between what we do get and the cooler temperatures it will go a long way towards helping firefighters get ahead of some very stubborn blazes that just won't quit.

Each time firefighters gain a little ground we have one of our Wyoming wind events that sets them back.

Windy conditions starting Wednesday, then that cool front moves in, won't help firefighters.

But at least it's bringing some much-needed moisture along with it.

ELK INCIDENT

Type: WF - Wildfire
Area Acres Burned: 88,750
Percent Contained: 27%

PACK TRAIL INCIDENT

Type: WF - Wildfire
Area Acres Burned: 77,559
Percent Contained: 62%

FISH CREEK INCIDENT

Type: WF - Wildfire
Area Acres Burned: 26,313
Percent Contained: 87%

The question should be asked: Why is there still so much smoke and fire after the area received a good amount of snow last week?

High winds have not helped.

But it's more a matter of what is burning.

The Togwotee Pass area is nothing like the planes of eastern Wyoming.

It's a mountainous area filled with tall pine trees.

The video below starts with a pleasant stream flowing, then shows how shocking the fire is, using time-lapse. 

Some years ago, large sections of those pines were killed off by pine beetles.

The snow that blanketed the area last week provided some help to firefighters.

But that was never going to be enough to put out what was burning.

Given just a little more time and some of that annoying wind the Fish Creek Fire was up to strength again, closing the pass for longer than it was closed the first time.

For those fighting to save what they can in North Eastern Wyoming's latest fires, and for those who are worried about friends and family in the area, information is everything.

Everyone wants and needs to know the latest.

Here are some of the places news reporters go to find out what is going on, and you can look at these sites as well, any time you need an update.

Let's start with a fire map.

The WSFT Interactive Fire Map is at this link. 

The more you zoom in, the more information you'll get.

Try clicking on everything you see and you'll get more information.

At the same time, you'll want to know where that smoke is going.

Try this smoke and fire map, at this link.

Like the other map, the more you move around and click on things the more information you get.

You'll see layers of smoke and where it's coming from.

This gives you a better idea of the big picture as you zoom in and out.

You'll want to know where that smoke and fire is going, and where it is forecasted to go.

For that one of my favorite websites is WINDY. You might want to download the Windy App for use on your mobile device.

It's a moving map that shows you how the wind is moving.

With WINDY you can zoom way in and way out to see how the wind is moving.

Use the time bar at the bottom to see what the forecasted winds are.

Use the altitude option to look at winds aloft and on the ground.

Try the options that allow you to see temperature, humidity, rain, and clouds.

Are the roads open?

Try WYDOT's website for visual and written information on roads.

You can also zoom in on street and highway cameras to see what's happening.

Search your social media, like Facebook to see what WYDOT is posting as well as your local BLM posts and fire departments.

They all have Facebook pages and are posting information there.

Your local government (city & county) websites are also posting emergency information along with city and county police departments.