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Interagency cooperation and planning continue to be key components of the Teton Interagency Fire Management Program. Beginning with a partnership established in 1994 among area agencies, the park's joint efforts include working with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Jackson / Teton County Fire Department, and the State of Wyoming. "We do more than collaborate," explained Rusty Palmer, Fire Marshall for Teton County, speaking at the Great Basin / Northern Rockies Fire Prevention and Education Workshop in Park City last month. “We are interdependent.”
On April 18th, interagency fire officials from the four agencies held a public meeting in Wilson, Wyoming to discuss proposed hazard fuels treatment projects within Teton County. The meeting served as public scoping and initiated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, allowing the public an opportunity to express their concerns on specific issues regarding the proposed projects. The public information agenda included an overview of the National Fire Plan as well as a powerpoint presentation on defensible space practices.
Interagency fire management personnel from Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the Jackson / Teton County Fire Department have established quarterly meetings, allowing an opportunity for sharing information, planning training schedules, and discussing current issues. On June 6th, the interagency team will again convene to discuss summer fire season preparedness including finalizing plans for the annual interagency "All Fire Days" training, scheduled this year for June 13th-15th in Grand Teton National Park.
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