Thursday, October 10, 2024

Western Wyoming Forests Caution Fire Danger

As unusually dry and warm weather persists across the West, so does fire season for Wyoming public lands. The Shoshone and Bridger-Teton national forests remind outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious while hunting and recreating this fall.

Currently, both the Shoshone and Bridger-Teton forests are in “Very High” fire danger, this means fires can start easily from most causes and may spread rapidly. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire behavior, such as long-distance spotting, especially with the windy conditions experienced recently.

The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group has raised the national preparedness level to 5, which is the highest preparedness level. This means firefighting resources are currently extremely scarce. A highly unusual weather pattern is forecast for the next two weeks, with above normal temperatures and dry conditions across the West. Temperatures will likely average 10 to 20 degrees above normal with very low relative humidity.

While most of eastern Wyoming remains under fire restrictions, many areas in western Wyoming are not. Please be aware of local public safety area closures, take precautions before venturing out, and be careful with anything that could start a fire.

“With a little extra effort and caution we can all ensure that human-caused fires are not contributing to the challenging situation we find ourselves in,” states Fred Tucker, Shoshone National Forest Fire Management Officer. “Just like everyone else, we’re all hoping for a significant rain or snow event that will bring the 2024 fire season to a close.”



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