Wyoming bar provides unwavering support during Elk Fire devastation

PARKMAN — It’s been a month since the Elk Fire burned nearly 100,000 acres in Wyoming. Currently 75% contained, more than 500 firefighters continue to closely monitor the area. Parkman Bar and Grillin Parkman, Wyoming, firefighters and the public have been supporting firefighters and the public in a variety of ways since the fire started.

“Our mountain front, the mountain side, will never be the same as it ever was,” Parkman Bar and Grill owner Patricia Caywood said.

Community means everything to Caywood.

PAATRIZIA_1.31.1.jpg — Parkman Bar and Grill owner Patricia Caywood.

“It means a lot to me. I feel at home when I moved here and came to the Parkman bar,” Caywood told Parkman Sunday. “This community is one of the best communities I have ever had the pleasure of living in.”

As her family members helped fight the Elk Fire, Caywood couldn’t stay away.

“My husband works for the forest service. He was one of the people called initially along with my brother,” Caywood said.

Even though the fire closed the bar for a week, Caywood started chatting online to see what he could do to help.

FOOOOD_3.1.1.jpg — The goods were donated to the Parkman grill bar.

“The small part that I thought we were going to help has become even bigger,” Caywood said. “Just one simple post that was published in the community. Then my bar filled up really quickly, mix, jerky, whatever, chips, lunch meat.”

From collecting food donations to preparing meals and delivering food, the outpouring of support from the community continued to pour in, Caywood said. Two Caywood employees personally delivered food to working firefighters.

“Between two girls delivering food in one direction and my son and his wife delivering food in the other direction, it just kind of went from there,” Caywood said.

However, they supported not only those who fought the fire, but also those who held the fort.

JESS1_1.24.1.jpg — Parkman Bar and Grill bartender Jesse Smith

“We have all these people who want to help in any way they can. I thought we should thank them back as well,” Parkman bartender Jesse Smith said.

Two weeks ago, more than 500 patrons attended Smith’s celebration of “Let It Rain” at the Parkman Bar.

“People were parking almost a mile down the road to come in and it just blew our minds. But the camaraderie that was here, the spirit that was here that night, it was just needed,” Smith said.

This gave the Parkman Bar even more donations, allowing them to embrace the community.

“We were able to raise over $14,000 for local firefighters, which will be distributed next week,” Caywood said.

They were even able to provide firefighters with free home-cooked meals.

PARKMAN12_2.9.1.jpg — “Let It Rain” celebration at Parkman Bar and Grill for community members.

“They come, they are covered in soot, tired and hungry. And knowing that they could just order whatever they wanted from the menu and the paperwork, you know, that was really cool,” Smith added.

This is a small business doing a great job helping those who need it most.

“I’m grateful to live where we do, to our community and to the staff that you know work here at Parkman Bar and Grill. Because without all of that, none of this would be possible,” Caywood said.

Caywood said Wyoming residents affected by the Elk Fire are still in need of donations.

“They can still donate to local fire departments in Ranchester, Tongue River Fire District, Dayton Volunteer Department and Search and Rescue Fire Department. Parkman Bar and Grill they can mail this to PO Box 61 in Parkman. from any monetary donations to the bar itself,” Caywood said. “Sure, come in and get a burger.”