Hazard Fuels Project to Temporarily Close Signal Mountain Summit Road

Date: June 13, 2014
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 307.739.3393

The Signal Mountain Summit Road in Grand Teton National Park will be temporarily closed to public access while Teton Interagency firemanagement staff conduct fuels reduction work along the upper 1.5 miles of this auxiliary park road. Between June 17 and July 17, park visitors should expect road closures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crews may also close the road for short periods of time during the remainder of the week to facilitate the movement of equipment and provide for public safety on the narrow, winding road.

Teton Interagency fire crews will fell hazard trees of varying sizes, and remove accumulations of dead and downed fuels, as well as small trees and limbs that lie adjacent to the Signal Mountain Summit Road. These so-called 'hazard fuels' can cause increased fire behavior in the event of a wildfire and must be removed to increase public safety. The public closure is necessary because fire crews will be working on steep slopes above the road where the potential for logs to roll down slope may create a safety risk for passing vehicles.

To alert visitors to the delays, hazards, and schedule of closures, signs will be posted at the base of the Signal Mountain Summit Road for the duration of this hazard fuels removal project. Information will also be posted on TetonFires.com. Visitors should expect to encounter work crews, vehicles and equipment in the area, even beyond the scheduled 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. closure periods.

This fuels reduction project will assist in protecting the communication equipment located on the summit of Signal Mountain, as well as provide for enhanced public safety in the event of a wildfire. Fuels reduction projects are addressed in Grand Teton National Park's Fire Management Plan.

Questions about this project can be directed to Mack McFarland, Grand Teton National Park's assistant fire management officer at 307.739.3313 or Andy Hall, Teton Interagency prescribed fire and fuels technician at 307.739.3319.