October 16, 2024 - The Elk Fire burning along the east slope of the Bighorn Mountains on October 6th.

October 15, 2024 - In the afternoon on October 6th the smoke lifted.  This is the fire line cut through the fence and over Harry McCormick Hill in front of the house, and us still standing.  

 

October 14, 2024 - On the morning of October 6th smoke from the Elk Fire laid heavy in our little valley around the house on Wolf Creek, and on the hills above. 

October 13, 2024 - By late afternoon on the 5th we were still trying to decide whether or not we could reoccupy our home.  A sizeable fire continued to burn in Windy Draw behind Chocolate Drop.  We drove up the ranch road to watch it and consider our options.  Fires are absolutely mesmerizing.  We had a good view of the fire, and of the charred face of Wolf Creek Canyon.  The Windy Draw fire burned upslope away from Wolf Creek and the wind and weather report for the night was favorable.  We made the decision to spend the night at home.

  

October 12, 2024 - By mid-day on October 5th the Elk Fire could be seen burning for 10 miles along the face of the mountain from north of Tongue River Canyon south to Big Goose Canyon.  Winds of 50 mph the night before had swept the fire 6 miles south down the face.  Fires burned at the mouth, and in Wolf Creek Canyon but were miraculously directed around Eaton Ranch.  Smoke filled the valley.  On this day the fire size was 62,000 acres, it was 0% contained and attended by 584 firefighters from all over the West.

  

October 11, 2024 - We spent the night of October 4th at the guesthouse of friends along Big Goose Creek about 7 miles south of Wolf Creek and 10 miles south of the fire line.  At 1:30am a howling northwest wind woke us.  Out the window a foreboding, intense orange glow filled the sky to the north and west.  We got up, made coffee, and prepared to wait the 5 hours till daylight to see what was happening.  At 5am one of the neighbors who had a better view of the fire knocked on the door and advised us to pack and leave.  By 6am we sat in the dark 8 miles farther away, out of harm's way in my brother's driveway watching the fire burn along the face of the mountain, still waiting for daylight.  We were worried and anxious to find out about our house and the fire near the ranch.  At first light we left to try to get close to home to see about the fire.  Cresting Graham Hill we were relieved and grateful to see that the fire had been kept out of the Wolf Creek drainage as it swept down the face of the mountain in the night.

October 10, 2024 - On the morning of October 4th we were dismayed to see the fire had crossed Tongue River Canyon and was burning below Steamboat Rock.  At mid day I returned home to find the Flathead Hot Shot fire crew from Montana cutting in fire lines and clearing brush in front of our house.  A half hour later the sheriff knocked at our door and told us to evacuate.  The fire was intensifying and moving this way.  Hot temperatures and heavy winds were expected in the night.  With the help of good friends and family we loaded some important possessions, and in 2-1/2 hours were out of the house.  Then one sad last look back in that direction about 5:30 pm as we crossed over the hill.

 

October 9, 2024 - During the afternoon and evening of October 2nd the Elk Fire continued to advance in all directions.  There were over 500 firefighters, at least 4 air tankers, many helicopters, and smaller planes of all sizes working the fire which had burned over 45,000 acres.  Smoke obscured Tongue River Canyon.  We were told to be ready to evacuate.  

 

October 8, 2024 - Wednesday October 2nd was day 7 of the Elk Fire that had first started 10 or 11 miles NW of us.  On this morning the fire began to intensify.  We could see flames in Tongue River Canyon about 4 miles away.  These photos were taken in the morning around the house.

 

October 7, 2024 - October 1st dawned intense pink with the smoke from the forest fire.  Sunset to the northwest was spectacular and ominous that evening.

October 6, 2024 - During the night the Elk Fire began to increase in intensity and spread out in all directions, pushing smoke to the south toward us.  Photos near the house at 6:30am, 7am, 10am, and 4:30pm on September 30th.

October 5, 2024 - Smoke from the Elk Fire to the north was barely visible before dawn under the Big Dipper and the North Star on the morning of September 29th.

 

October 4, 2024 - On September 28th we walked up to the badlands at dawn to enjoy the fall colors in the plum and chokecherry patches.  Smoke from the Elk Fire cast a warm, yellowish light over the foothills and down through Big Goose Valley.