Thunderstorms moving through the area led to numerous lightning strikes Tuesday and Wednesday evening, causing multiple wildfires across the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Reported fires in the forest are as follows:
Man Peak fire – Greys River Ranger District near Moose Flat campground 1/10 acre. Controlled 7/4 Pine Grove Fire –Big Piney Ranger District near Deadline Ridge 3 acres – OUT 7/3 Alkali Fire- Jackson Ranger District – Near Gros Ventre Wilderness and Goosewing -OUT 7/5 Kitten Fire – Blackrock Ranger District – 0.32 acre in timber – Contained 7/4 Dry Basin Fire – Big Piney District close to where the Pine Grove Fire was and firefighters are on scene 1/10 acre. - Controlled 7/3Between the onset of storms on Tuesday, over 4000 lightning strikes were recorded in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. More than 16,000 lightning strikes struck Wyoming in the last 48-hours. Lightning and rainfall will likely continue Saturday.
Bridger-Teton National Forest firefighters have been positioned throughout the forest in anticipation of developing storms, ready to respond to wildfires caused by lightning strikes. A full-suppression strategy is underway, keeping these fires small.
Firefighters will be seen across the forest throughout the next few days looking for new fires that may start in the hours and days after other lightning strikes. Bridger-Teton firefighters are also responding to mutual aid calls from other firefighting agencies.
The public is asked to avoid areas where firefighters are working so they can extinguish these fires as soon as possible. Stay informed about the latest developments with these incidents here and with your local authorities.
If you see a fire please report it to Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.