Grand Teton National Park Plans Fall Pile Burns to Reduce Wildfire Risk

Starting as early as November 9, Teton Interagency Fire crews will burn piles created from fuel reduction projects in Grand Teton National Park. Firefighters have focused on fuel reduction efforts in developed areas to reduce wildfire risk, and pile burning is the last step in the thinning process.

Fuel reduction includes thinning and removing lower limbs from trees and the removal of dead wood and brush from the forest floor. Firefighters then place the wood and brush into pyramid-shaped piles and let them cure for a year before burning them. Firefighters will burn the piles under low fire behavior conditions resulting from wet weather and snow accumulation. Smoke may be visible from these piles during the day of ignition and may linger in the area for a few days.

Fuel reduction burns are planned near the following locations:

* Colter Bay

* Beaver Creek

* Elk Ranch

* Kelly Pit

Exact timing is difficult to predict. Crews will ignite piles only when weather and smoke-dispersal conditions are favorable and the risk of fire spreading beyond the piles is low. Burning may continue over the next several months as conditions allow.

Public and firefighter safety is always the priority in all burn operations. Fire management staff will monitor the piles to assure complete combustion and consumption of all fuels and to assess conditions. If smoke lingers, signs will be posted along roadsides to remind drivers to use headlights for safer travel. Teton Interagency Fire has more information about area fire management and pile burning.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking