Highway 14 Over Bighorn Mountains REOPENS

FINALLY, you'll be able to drive over Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains on Highway 14, once again.

Most of the highway, on the east side of the mountains, was closed due to the raging Elk Fire that has been burning up in those mountains for months.

The entire mountain part of the highway was closed for a short while. Not just because of the fire but also because of smoke and firefighters needed the road. That includes where the road split at the top of the Bighorns into 14 and 14A.

They are able to open the road because the Elk Fire is now more than half contained.

ELK INCIDENT

Type: WF - Wildfire
Area Acres Burned: 96,370
Percent Contained: 52%

Recent snow in the area helped calm down the blaze which, for the longest time, was uncontrollable.

This does not mean that the Elk Fire is done.

Officials in the area warn that high winds could whip it back up into another burning frenzy.

Highway 14 will not be a clear drive. Road crews are working on repairs and fire crews in the area, still battling the blaze.

“Consider avoiding the area entirely if you don’t have to be there,” the Bighorn National Forest said.

U.S. Highway 14 from Dayton to Burgess Junction is now open with a speed restriction of 30 mph, in addition to semi-truck and weight restrictions in some places.

WYDOT has been hard at work repairing the road from fire damage and continues efforts.

Please exercise caution as road crews and wildland firefighting crews are in the area. (US Forest Service).