The Elk Fire is currently 60% contained, and rain is helping

The Elk Fire is still burning across parts of Wyoming, but rain is helping bring that blaze under control.

Right now, there are around 450 personnel on the ground fighting the fire. It has consumed 96,000 acres so far but is currently around 60 percent contained. Firefighters have been battling a high timber load, with underbrush helping fuel the flames.

Weather systems in recent days have helped control the situation, and officials say the fire is now just creeping along. They expect fire activity to be minimal, with snow helping in higher elevations.

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“It is no secret that livestock grazing is a means of reducing those fine fuels on the ground.”
“The clean-up process is going to be a very, very long time. It’s not going to take months; it’s going to take probably years, if not longer than that.”
“The other fruits and veggie guys, they’re just kind of a wait-and-see type of position.”
“We find lots of public support when there is a natural disaster, but maybe a little bit less when people think prices are too low.”

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