Fire Danger lowered to High
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
August 28, 2013
Due to cooler temperatures, shorter days, and recent rainfall, Teton Interagency Fire Officials have lowered the fire danger rating to ‘high" on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge.
Additionally, fire officials utilize a combination of fire models, fuel moisture sampling, and fire activity data to determine the wildland fire danger, and it is evaluated on a weekly basis throughout the fire season.
Although fire officials are reducing the fire danger, significant moisture is still needed to reduce the potential for new starts and to limit ignitions from becoming larger fires. While warm dry weather is creating late season opportunities for recreationalists, it is also prolonging the fire season.
High fire danger means all fine fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most sources. It also means unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. When ignited, fires will spread rapidly and their control may become difficult unless they are effectively managed while they are still small.
"While campfires are a welcome addition during cool fall nights, abandoned campfires can quickly escape as the day warms and afternoon winds develop," said Andy Norman, deputy fire management officer on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
As a reminder, the following are year-round wildfire prevention restrictions are in place on all Forest and Park Service administered public lands in Wyoming:
• Abandoning or failing to fully extinguish a campfire;
• Discharging or using any fireworks;
• Discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
• Burning, igniting, or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
• Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester.
Campfires remain a concern for fire officials, who are asking the public to build campfires away from material that easily could ignite, keep the fires small and make sure they are completely out before leaving. For more information, visit www.tetonfires.com.
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