Fire restrictions lifted
by Teton Interagency Fire
September 16, 2016
Due to cooler temperatures and shorter days, Teton Interagency Fire Officials are lifting fire restrictions in on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and in Grand Teton National Park. Teton, Lincoln, and Sublette County remains in fire restrictions.
Although fire officials are reducing the fire danger rating to moderate and lifting fire restrictions on federal lands, significant moisture is still needed to reduce the potential for new starts and to limit ignitions from becoming larger fires. Warm dry weather is creating late season opportunities for recreationalists, while also prolonging the fire season.
Moderate fire danger means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Lower elevation grass and brush fuels are still volatile, prompting the decision for the counties to remain in fire restrictions.
"Campfires are a welcome addition during cool fall nights, but abandoned campfires can quickly escape as the day warms and afternoon winds develop," said Andy Norman, Fuels Specialist for the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
As a reminder, the following are year-round wildfire prevention restrictions are in place on all U.S. Forest and National Park Service 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.
Though the Teton Interagency Officials have lifted these fire restrictions, caution is still advised when camping or any other activity that involves or could involve fire. 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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