Teton Interagency reduced to moderate fire hazard

WESTERN Wyo. (KIFI) – Teton Interagency Fire Managers to Lower the Fire Danger Rating to Moderate and Lift Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and Refuge National Elk from Thursday, August 26, 2021.

It is important to note that despite the lowering of the rating, the possibility for fires to start easily and spread quickly remains.

Due to the amount of rain or snow received over much of western Wyoming over the past few days, moisture levels in vegetation have fallen to non-critical levels. It is important to note that the long term forecast still predicts a warming and drying trend until the fall. Fire managers will continue to monitor and assess conditions throughout the remainder of the fire season to see if any adjustments need to be made.

Fire managers advise all users of public land and especially campers and hunters to exercise caution when constructing and maintaining campfires. Although fires are now legal, it is still illegal to leave a fire unattended or abandoned. There have been over 155 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire Zone to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires and warming fires can quickly escalate into forest fires. Campers and daily users should have a shovel handy and a bucket of water ready for use. Soak, stir, smell, repeat. It is extremely important that all campfires are “out” and cool to the touch before setting off.

Recreationists are also informed of the following rules:

• Choose the location for your campfire carefully, free of overhanging trees and grass and brush. In scattered camping areas, only use pre-existing Campfire Rings, do not create new rings. Campfires in Grand Teton National Park are limited to designated and installed fireplaces and / or grills. Campfires are not permitted at the National Elk Refuge.
• Keep your campfire small and under control; only make it as big as you need it.
• Drown, stir and smell until your fire is cool to the touch before you go. Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Fires should be avoided on windy days.
• Never park in tall, dry grass, as hot exhaust pipes can ignite fine fuels.
• Explosives and explosive targets are not permitted on local federal lands.
• Fireworks are not permitted on federal lands.

To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.