Jackson Ranger District, Jackson, Wyoming - North Zone
The Jackson Ranger District is located in Jackson, Wyoming, is home to the North Zone fire organization with fire management responsibilities on the Jackson Ranger District. Resources include a 20-person interagency helitack crew and Type IV Engine 441.
Resources on the North Zone of the Bridger-Teton National Forest assist with initial attack on Teton County lands and within Grand Teton National Park as needed. The total land mass is about 1.5 million acres, and has a complex wildland urban interface environment, as well as some of the most remote areas of the lower 48 United States. North Zone firefighters are actively involved in full suppression, long term management of fires and prescribed fire operations, as well as actively implementing mechanical fuels reduction projects. On the north zone of the B-T one can expect to work within a diverse fire management organization which places high expectations on individual and crew performance, and provides some unique Fire Management experience opportunities.
Engine 441 is a Type Four Interagency Wildland Fire Engine staffed by a 5 person module, based out of the Jackson Ranger District, with the primary response area of the North Zone of the Bridger Teton National Forest. The crew responds to initial attack fires, supports large project fires and prescribed fires while providing opportunities for crewmembers to gain experience on crew assignments.
A class B commercial drivers license is needed to drive the engine, but not necessary for a crewmember position. Season starts around Memorial Day and continues through the end of prescribed fire season, somewhere in the end of October.
Mission Statement: E-441 will strive to exceed the standards and expectations of wildland firefighting by demonstrating teamwork, respect, commitment, professionalism and safety.
Motto: "Preparation started yesterday"
Crew Fitness: E-441 crewmembers are expected to maintain a high level of personal goals and physical fitness. Physical Fitness crew goals include:
1.5 Mile run = 11 minutes, 25 Push-ups, 7 Pull-ups, 45 Sit-ups
The ability to hike with 85 lbs over 3 miles in 90 minutes. Hike Snowking Mountain, the town ski hill with 1571 vertical feet of switchbacks, within a seasonal goal of under 30 minutes.
Contact Information: Engine Captain, Noel "Chip" Gerdin, 307-413-4086 or ngerdin@fs.fed.us.
The Forest
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST
The Bridger-Teton National Forest lies on the southern edge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The GYE encompasses the largest intact temperate ecosystem in the United States. Lands are managed by multiple agencies and landowners including the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the states of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana and numerous private landowners. Scenery, wildlife and remote wilderness recreational opportunities abound.
The Bridger-Teton, at 3,400,000 acres is the second largest National Forest in the United States outside Alaska. It is noted for its unusual scenery and natural features, large and diverse wildlife populations, and habitat for threatened and endangered species. The Forest contains the headwaters of 4 major river basins: the Yellowstone (Missouri/Mississippi Basin); Snake (Columbia); Green (Colorado); and the Bear River (Great Basin). Seven major mountain ranges are found within the Forest Boundaries. These mountain ranges are part of the northern Rocky Mountains and include parts of the striking Teton Range and Wind River Mountains.
The Community
Jackson
The Town of Jackson The Town of Jackson is the county seat of Teton County and the only incorporated municipality in the county. “Jackson Hole" as it's often called, refers to the whole area which is a 50 mile long valley surrounded by high mountains. Jackson is a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, its unmatched scenic beauty, its world-class skiing, and its western character. For tourism information, including listing of lodging, restaurants, and shopping, please contact the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce at 307-733-3316 or on the web at www.jacksonholechamber.com. This spectacular valley in the mountains offers residents and visitors alike an unparalleled array of outdoor activities for year-round enjoyment. From world-class skiing, snowmobiling, backcountry touring and dog sledding in the winter to hiking, rafting, fly fishing, paragliding, mountain biking and rock climbing in the summer.
In addition to the incredible scenery and unlimited recreational opportunities, Jackson is also known for its genuine western charm, as the fifth nationally recognized arts center in the nation, and for quality events such as Old West Days and Fall Arts Festival. Once primarily a community comprised of ranchers, Jackson’s residents now pursue careers in a broad range of industries from ranching to hospitality and tourism, construction, professional services and technology. The highly diverse community, seasonal residents and vacation homeowners, add to the special feel of this small western town. Due to the abundance of public lands and the conservation efforts to protect open space, the Town of Jackson has a very limited amount of land for development. Many individuals commute from areas such as Victor and Driggs, Idaho, and Pinedale, Alpine and Dubois, Wyoming. Although Jackson Hole has undergone change since homestead settlement in the 1880’s, the reasons people come to the area remain the same. The old West feeling of small town hospitality, the people, scenery and recreational activities continue to attract people from all over the country and world.
LOW Fires are not easily started. Fuels do not ignite readily from small firebrands, although, a more intense ignition source, such as lightning, may start many fires in duff or punky wood. Fires in open cured grassland may burn freely a few hours after rain, bur fires burning in forested areas spread slowly by creeping or smoldering and burn in irregular fingers. There is also a danger of spotting.
MODERATE Fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate. Fires can start from most accidental causes, but with the exception of lightning fires is some areas, the number of start is generally low. Fires in open-cured grassland will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days. Woods fires spread slowly to moderately fast. The average fire is of moderate intensity, although heavy concentrations of fuel may burn hot. Short-distance spotting may occur, but is not persistent. Fires are not likely to become serious, and control is relatively easy.
HIGH Fires start easily and spread at a fast rate. All fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High-intensity burning may develop on slopes, or in concentrations of fine fuel. Fire may become serious and difficult to control unless they are hit hard and fast while small.
VERY HIGH Fires start very easily and spread at a very fast rate. Fires start easily from all causes, spread rapidly and intensify quickly. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in heavy fuels may quickly develop high-intensity characteristics, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds. Direct attack at the head of such fires is rarely possible after they have been burning more than a few minutes.
EXTREME The fire situation is explosive and can result in extensive property damage. Fires under extreme conditions start quickly, spread quickly, and burn intensely. All fires are a threat and potentially serious. Development in high-intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from small fires than in the "very high" danger class. Direct attack is rarely possible, and may be dangerous, except immediately after ignition. Fires burning in heavy slash or in conifer stands may be unmanageable while the extreme burning condition lasts. Under these conditions, the only effective and safe control action is on the flanks until the weather changes or until there is a decrease in the fuel supply.