There was an air of unease and optimism as area homeowners congregated for a Hunter Peak Fire update Thursday evening with a Type 1 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team.

There was tension at the meeting, held at the Painter Store Clarks Fork Spoon. Some recalled the Clover Mist Fire of 1988, when the Crandall area and every place else appeared on the brink of utter destruction.

Despite misgivings, the atmosphere was trustful and supportive for both firefighters and neighbors.

Joey Darrah, Powell reserve fireman and Crandall area homeowner, worked behind the restaurant counter. He was not getting paid; he was just helping out.

Tim French, Park County Commission chairman, said the county loaned two dozers and two operators, Jason Fields and Chip Ash, for the duration of the fire.

“We’re going to do whatever we need to do to help out,” French said.

Sue Stresser, Washakie District ranger, kicked off the presentation.

“We can stay as long as you need until your questions are answered,” Stresser said to upward of 50 people. “We want to put your minds at ease.”

People were worried.

Evacuation of County Road XUX (Squaw Creek) remained in place on Monday.

No structures had been lost, but 95 were threatened by the fire as of Sunday, according to InciWeb.

On Aug. 9, the fire blew, and people felt panic, Stresser said. “I felt that too.”

On Thursday, the weather cooperated, occasional showers cooled the flames.

“This is a full-suppression fire,” Stresser said.

One man asked about closing Wyo. Highway 296.

Fire managers have met with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Highway Patrol and Park County Sheriff’s Office, said Dan Dallas, deputy Incident commander. They are well aware of the highway’s importance. Hopefully, the need to close Chief Joseph Highway won’t be an issue.

“But if it does, we’ve got a plan,” he said.

Both the Chief Joseph Highway (Wyo. 296) and the Beartooth Highway (U.S. Highway 212) are still open. Motorists should be aware that the status of the Chief Joseph Highway could change at a moment’s notice. They should check wyoroad.info/pls/Browse/WRR.CLOSURES before traveling, according to a fire update Sunday.

There was discussion of lighting a back burn to consume fuels and snags leftover from 1988. The backfire would essentially create a fire line to keep the fire from spreading.

Eric Zanotto, fire operations, said the back burn would possibly be lit on the upper end of Squaw Creek Road and Squaw Creek trail and behind 30 homes.

That would not be a back burn, Stresser said. It would be a controlled burnout to consume fuel between the wildfire and homes.

Once fire containment lines are in place, a meteorologist on the team will evaluate the ideal weather conditions for back burns, said Todd Legler, Shoshone National Forest risk management officer.

The top of the ridge is crammed with snags from 1988 that pose great risk to firefighters.

The intent of the back burn is to protect homes while minimizing risk to firefighters, Legler said.

The back burn would be ignited at the top of the slope and directed downslope, Legler said. Fire typically descends slower than it rises.

Hot Shot crews might ignite the fire by hand, or aircraft might light it. Aircraft would be ready to initiate full suppression if necessary, Legler said.

Air quality is a concern, particularly in the evenings when the air settles, Dallas said. If back burns are initiated, all fuels will be consumed — thus removing particulates in the air. Smoldering fires precipitate more particulates.

Air quality in Painter Canyon was expected to be moderate Monday and today (Tuesday), according to a fire update. Moderate meant “highly smoke-sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.”

Wyo. Highway 296, U.S. Highway 212 and the Northeast Gate to Yellowstone National Park air quality was good Monday and today.

There was no timeline for when homeowners would be allowed to return to their Road XUX residences. The last thing fire managers want is to allow folks to return to their homes and then call another evacuation, Zanotto said.

“What I would ask is for your patience,” he said.

Darrah asked where updates would be posted.

Cell phone signals and internet are not available in the area. So telephone land lines and updates must be left at central locations.

Information boards will be posted at Painter Store, at the Dead Indian scenic turnout, at the Clarks Fork scenic turnout and at the Cooke City, Montana, chamber of commerce, said Brenda Bowen, public information officer.

Another member of the audience said they’d like to see information posted at Sunlight Ranger Station, and Bowen said it will be posted there as well.

Darrah asked if locals could loan out their heavy equipment and ATVs to the firefighting effort.

They appreciated the offer, but borrowing privately-owned equipment during a fire is time-consuming process, Dallas said.