Teton Interagency Fire

Western WY- The Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and the High Desert District of the Bureau of Land Management, as well as Teton, Sublette and Lincoln Counties in Wyoming, are implementing fire restrictions. The restrictions do not apply to the Gros Ventre, Bridger and Teton Wilderness.

Bridger-Teton National Fire 2019 Summer Seasonal Fire Position Outreach, Sept. 10 - Oct. 10

Bridger-Teton NF 2019 Fire Hire Outreach Application Deadline Oct. 15, 2018

Bridger-Teton NF Vacancies

Exceptionally Dry Conditions Exist

 

Western WY —The fire danger rating has been elevated to very high for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, National Elk Refuge, and remaining portions of the Teton Interagency Dispatch area.

 

The area has seen exceptionally dry conditions since the last appreciable rain in late August, and fuel conditions are at their driest of the season. In addition, several days of red flag warnings have elevated local fire conditions. A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service when relative humidity is expected to be at or below 15% and strong gusty winds are anticipated, and conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion and rapid spread.  Red flag warnings have been issued for the Teton Interagency and surrounding areas each day since late last week. Under these conditions, local residents and visitors alike should practice heightened fire safety at all times.

 

When the fire danger is very high, fires can start easily from both human-caused and natural causes and, immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Small fires can quickly become large fires and be difficult to control. They often become longer-lasting fires, exhibiting extreme fire behavior and requiring more personnel and resources. When determining fire danger, fire managers use several indicators such as the moisture content of grasses, shrubs, and trees; projected weather conditions including temperatures and possible wind events; the ability of fire to spread after ignition; and availability of firefighting resources across the country.

 

Over the past several days, multiple fires have started on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park. The two largest fires are the Roosevelt Fire on the Big Piney District and the Marten Creek Fire on the Greys River District, both located on the national forest. Additional fires are burning in Grand Teton National Park and the Blackrock and Pinedale Districts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. For current information and media releases on any fires in the area, check the Teton Interagency Fire website at tetonfires.com.  

 

At this time of the season, fire resources are stretched thin as employees finish their seasons and crews are released for the year. Many visitors and recreationists may drop their guard as nights get colder and fires season seems to wane. As hunting season picks up in the area, it is especially important to extinguish warming fires and campfires before leaving the area. Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving your site. Visitors should never leave a fire unattended. The fine for an abandoned campfire is $225, but campers can also be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire becomes a wildfire.

 

To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307.739.3630.

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Teton Interagency fire managers in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish, Jackson Hole Fire and EMS and the Teton Area Wildfire Protection Coalition are planning to implement the Beaver Mountain Prescribed Burn sometime this fall, as weather and resources allow, on the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger- Teton National Forest.  The Beaver Mountain prescribed burn is located approximately 20-miles south of Jackson, Wy in the Bryan Flats area.Prescribed fire is an important tool in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire across the landscape and can help prevent extreme fires by reducing hazardous fuel buildup.  Managed prescribed fires provide crucial benefits to natural resources. 

As soon as When weather conditions and available fire personnel are favorable for implementation, crews will begin the firing operations for the project. At this time the desired dayIt is anticipated that for ignitions may beginbe Wednesday September, 19th. For each prescribed fire, fire managers work with other resource managers for several years planning and writing a specific prescription that includes parameters for wind speed and direction, smoke dispersal, relative humidity, fuel moisture for live and dead burnable vegetation, and more. The prescribe fire plans also delineates types and numbers of resources needed to safely conduct each burn and to support contingency plans. 

The Beaver Mountain prescribed burn is located approximately 20-miles south of Jackson, Wy in the Bryan Flats area. Crews will apply fire to the 700 acre unit using a combination of hand torches and helicopter ignition devices to break up the continuity of vegetative fuels.  "The ignition phase for the project is expected to take three to five days depending on the weather and fuels conditions," said Mary Moore, Jackson District Ranger. Smoke may impact the area as the cool night and morning air often cause the smoke to sink in the canyon area and create an inversion.  Motorists are reminded to travel with caution, just as going through any low visibility area.  Access to the trail along the western and southern boundaries of the burn unit, will be inaccessible during operations and trail users should plan accordingly. Hazards will exist within the vicinity of the burn area even after firing operations are completed and the public is urged to watch for snags and falling trees, rolling rocks and debris, and residual smoke and flames if entering into the burn area immediately after firing operations.  Fire and smoke will be visible until the burn units receives wetting precipitation.

 Firefighters will stay on site over the evening hours and camp on the forest until the firing operations are complete.  Afterwards, the Beaver Mountain unit will be patrolled daily for any hazards and monitored for areas of concern until the prescribed fire is called out.  An information station will be available in the Bryan Flats area for education and information on fire management on public lands and within the Wildland Urban Interface. The primary objective for the burn is to increase defensible space south of the Hoback Junction area, as identified in the Teton Area Wildfire Protection Plan.

 For more information please call 307-739-5424 or visit the information station during firing operations.

Prescribed fire is an important tool in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire across the landscape and can help prevent extreme fires by reducing hazardous fuel buildup. Managed prescribed fires provides benefits to natural resources.