Drone shuts down firefighting aircraft during critical operations

A wildfire on the North Fork grew to 2,000 acres by Wednesday night.

The June Fire started Tuesday about 1.5 miles south of U.S. Highway 14/16/20 and the UXU Ranch in the June Creek drainage in the Shoshone National Forest.

An unauthorized drone shut down firefighting aircraft during critical operations on Wednesday, the Forest Service said in a news release.

“The public is reminded that flying drones over a wildfire is dangerous to firefighters and illegal,” the Forest Service wrote in the release Thursday morning.

Hot dry conditions are forecast to continue today, with wind gusts increasing this afternoon. Smoke will continue to be visible in Cody, Powell and the surrounding areas.

The estimated size of 2,000 acres is based on observations from air and ground resources; an infrared flight could not be performed over the fire Wednesday night.

By Wednesday evening, three helicopters, two air tankers, a couple fire engines and roughly 100 personnel were battling the fire. Additional hotshot crews and air resources are arriving today. Ground crews are protecting the UXU Ranch and have begun assessing the Blackwater Lodge.

The Elk Fork Trail is closed as a safety precaution. Visitors on U.S. Highway 14/16/20 (the North Fork highway) are reminded to be vigilant of increasing numbers of firefighters and equipment.

Due to the increased complexity of the fire, an Incident Management Team will assume management of the fire later today.

Information about the June Fire is available at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5386/. Bulletins will be posted at key locations in the North Fork corridor.

“Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority on the June Fire,” the Forest Service wrote in the news release.