PARKMAN – It’s been a month since the Elk Fire burned nearly 100,000 acres in Wyoming. Now 75% under control, more than 500 firefighters continue to monitor the area closely. Parkman Bar and GrillHe has been supporting these firefighters and the community in a variety of ways since the start of the fire in Parkman, Wyoming.

“The mountain front, the mountain face, will never be the same,” said Patricia Caywood, owner of Parkman Bar and Grill.

Community means everything to Caywood.

Alina Hauter/MTN News

“It means the world to me. When I move here and come to Parkman Bar, it feels like home,” said Caywood of Parkman Sunday. “The community is one of the best I have ever had the honor of living in.”

Caywood could not remain complacent as his own family members helped fight the Elk Fire.

“My husband works for the Forest Service. “He was one of those originally called along with my brother,” Caywood said.

Even though the fire closed the bar for a week, Caywood began networking to see what could be done to help.

Patricia Caywood

“The small part that I thought we would help with has expanded even further,” Caywood said. “There’s a simple post shared in the community. Then my bar fills up very quickly, mixed, jerky, you name it, nachos, lunch meat.”

Caywood said the support from the community continues to pour in, from collecting food donations to preparing sack lunches to delivering meals. Two Caywood employees personally delivered meals to working firefighters.

“Between the two girls making a delivery one way and my son and his wife making a delivery another way, they just kind of went from there,” Caywood said.

But they were supporting not only those fighting the fire, but also those holding the fort.

Alina Hauter/MTN News

“There’s a lot of people who want to help in any way. So I thought we should thank them,” Parkman bartender Jesse Smith said.

More than 500 patrons attended Smith’s community “Let It Rain” celebration at Parkman Bar two weeks ago.

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

Even more donations were provided to Parkman Bar, allowing them to welcome the community.

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

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

Patricia Caywood

“They walk in and they’re covered in soot and they’re tired and hungry. And it was really cool to know that they could order whatever they wanted from the menu and the paperwork,” Smith added.

A small business that has achieved great success by helping those who need it most.

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

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

“They can still donate to local fire departments in Ranchester, the Tongue River Fire District, the Dayton Volunteer and Search and Rescue Fire Department. Parkman Bar and Grill, they can mail it to PO Box 61 in Parkman. Caywood will respond to any donations made to the bar He said any monetary donations would be cut off. “Stop by and have a burger, of course.”