Teton Interagency Fire

The Great Basin Coordination Center has issued a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory for October 9-23 for the entire Great Basin. Above normal heat and dryness from mid-September onwards have rapidly dried out both live and dead fuels across the entire region. Western Wyoming specifically is in severe drought and is in Very High fire danger.

Wildland fuels which were already at critical levels for most of the summer received only a few days of moistening rainfall before this current three-week drying trend pushed fuels in most areas back to critical levels, and in many cases to record levels. Extreme fire behavior is now being observed on existing fires as well as new and emerging fires across much of the Great Basin. The short-term dryness of the past few weeks has pushed the “Flash Drought” indices towards their highest levels across Wyoming and large areas of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and the Arizona Strip.

The advisory shares a range of concerns for firefighters and the public, including:

• Expect regular weekly episodes of strong/dry and large-scale wind events.
• Anticipate flashy fine fuels (grasses), sagebrush and mixed conifer to ignite easily with rapid and potentially extreme fire spread. Long-range spotting and large flaming fronts may occur. You can't outrun it.
• Expect more active burner longer through the day, and a higher risk for campfires to spread into adjacent fuels.

Read the full Advisory.

When the days become shorter and dawn air cooler, it’s nice to have a warming fire to help heat up a cup of hot drink and feel a fire's warmth. When these pleasant fires are left unattended, they can quickly turn into a wildfire as a fall afternoon heats up. Recreational fires are often responsible wildfires during the fall season within the Teton Fire management area. These fires are often built without a rock ring, surrounded by uncleared vegetation and then left to burn out before they are completely cold and dead out. Putting out a fire requires water, lots of water. Take time to prepare for your fall adventure and remember to dress for every and any type of weather condition. Check out this video to learn more about fall recreational fires. Stay safe to be safe!

Western Wyo., October 3, 2024 — Teton Interagency Fire managers have elevated the fire danger rating to “Very High” for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge. When the fire danger is "Very High," fires can start easily from most causes and may spread rapidly with quick increase in intensity right after ignition. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity, such as long-distance spotting. These fires can be difficult to control and can often become much larger and longer lasting.

Last week, six human-caused fires were reported on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. These fires, all from abandoned warming fires, have ranged in size from ½ acre to 4.5 acres. Luckily, all these fires have been extinguished thanks to the vigilance of public reporting and firefighters patrolling the Forest. Fire managers are urging recreationists to use extreme caution with fire. 

During the fall, frost kills summer grasses and vegetation, creating more light, cured fuels to carry fire. Larger fuels remain dry throughout the season, and winds become a major driver for fires. Additionally, with fall, comes the arrival of hunting season. People hunting and recreating on public lands will want to have warming fires and campfires with the cooler overnight temperatures. Public land users can help prevent wildfires by choosing to not have a fire at all and instead dress for success with multiple layers and warm clothing.

Unseasonably warm daytime temperatures and very dry conditions are predicted to continue over the weekend and into next week with periods of increased wind and no forecasted rain. 

Fire managers advise recreationists to use extreme caution if choosing to build and maintain a campfire. In areas where campfires are allowed, fires should never be left unattended and must be completely extinguished before leaving. If choosing to have a campfire, keep it small and have a plan for putting it out before lighting it. All recreationists should have a shovel on hand and a water bucket ready for use. Soak, stir, feel, repeat. Make sure your campfire is “dead out” and cold to the touch before leaving. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave!

To date, 68 campfires have been abandoned or left unattended in the Teton Interagency Dispatch area. Unattended or abandoned campfires and warming fires can quickly escape and become wildfires, and recreationists can be held liable for suppression costs. 

Visit the Teton Interagency Fire website at TetonFires.com to learn more about fire safety. To report a fire or smoke in the area, call Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.

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Air quality monitors can help with monitoring wildfires and smoke trends. To see sensor data and smoke patterns go to AirNow Fire & Smoke Map, with the map focused on the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch area.

This do-it-yourself air filter can help relieve smoke indoors.