Teton Interagency Fire

Residents and recreationists may continue to see interior smoke until season ending event

Big Piney, Wyo., September 3, 2025— The Horse Fire on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest remains 100 percent contained and, for over a month now, has kept within its overall footprint, meaning it has not spread beyond certain control features and containment lines.  

Within the containment perimeter, however, there remains many "green islands" of unburned vegetation. These areas contain dry fuels (like trees, brush, and grass) that can catch fire and reignite, especially under certain weather conditions like high winds and low relative humidity. Firefighters are continuing to work to secure these green islands by carefully managing and extinguishing any hot spots that arise.

Residents and recreationists may continue to see interior smoke within the Horse Fire area until a season ending event occurs, like snow or heavy rain. Please do not report. 

The Horse Fire area closure remains in place to provide for public and firefighter safety. The order has been recently modified and all roads and trails are now open. 

The fire danger rating is “high” for the Teton Interagency Dispatch area which includes Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge, and Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for the area.  

So far this year, Teton Interagency Fire personnel have extinguished over 120 unattended or abandoned campfires. Abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and if your campfire sparks a wildfire, you can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out. 

For information about current fire restrictions, visit the Fire Restrictions page of this website

Western, Wyo., August 11, 2025—Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect for Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. The fire danger rating for the Teton Interagency Dispatch area remains at “very high,” meaning a fire may start easily, spread rapidly and burn intensely.

Fire managers use a variety of factors to determine when fire restrictions need to be applied to public lands, including the moisture content of fuels (how dry grasses, shrubs and trees are); projected weather conditions (including temperatures and possible wind events); the availability of firefighting resources nationwide; and the occurrence of human-caused fires.

“We appreciate the strong interagency coordination between our federal, state, and county partners in implementing stage 1 fire restrictions to protect public lands and communities,” said Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor Chad Hudson. “Please help us keep our public lands and communities safe by adhering to all fire restrictions.”

In Grand Teton National Park campfires are only allowed in designated metal fire grates. Campfires are never allowed on the National Elk Refuge. For the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the following stage 1 fire restrictions apply:

• Lighting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) is prohibited, except if it is in: 
  • A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas), listed in Forest Order # 04-03-25-304, Exhibit A.
  • A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device.
  • A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.

The following stage 1 fire restrictions apply to all public lands within the Teton Interagency Dispatch area, including Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge:

• Fireworks and explosives are prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is prohibited, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

So far this year, Teton Interagency Fire personnel have extinguished 101 unattended or abandoned campfires. Abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and if your campfire sparks a wildfire, you can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out.

What you can do
During times of elevated fire danger and fire restrictions, the safest option is to not build a campfire at all. Dress warmly and use layers instead of relying on a campfire for warmth. If you choose to have a campfire where it’s allowed:

• Never leave a campfire unattended or abandoned.
• Have a shovel and water bucket on hand.
• Use several gallons of water to fully extinguish your campfire.
• Drown, stir, feel and repeat until the ashes are cold to the touch.
• Break up charred logs and cover all remains with dirt.

Other considerations

• Do not park on tall grass as that grass can ignite when in contact with a hot vehicle.
• If pulling a trailer, ensure your chains are clear of the ground as small sparks could start roadside fires.
• If you come across an abandoned campfire and it is within your power, please put it out and contact Teton Interagency Dispatch to report its location.

For the latest fire updates, safety tips, and current fire restrictions, visit TetonFires.com. To report smoke or a fire, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.

Press Release, Closure Order, Closure Map

The Bridger-Teton National Forest is committed to developing and maintaining a highly skilled workforce for wildland fire operations and fuels management. The Teton Interagency Fire and Aviation program includes a variety of specialized positions including apprentice, engine crews, fuels management, wildland fire module, shorthaul helitack, and prevention.

2025 Fall Fire Hire Outreach Notice

For full consideration, please respond to the outreach. Your response is important. Please address your outreach response to the contact listed for each location. Additional information about the position is available from the direct supervisor. You may use the attached outreach response form.

This outreach is for GW-0462-03 through GW-0462-10 current career permanent fulltime and permanent seasonal fire and fuels positions. The vacancy announcements for these positions are posted on the U.S. Government's official website for employment opportunities at USAJobs.gov. These are national and regional vacancy announcements with specific opening and closing dates. 

On the R4 Fire Hire web page https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/fire/permanent-fire-jobs there is information on preparing an application and contacts for all positions in the region. For instructions on how to search for jobs and fill out your applications, go to the R4 Fire Hire Web page shown above.