News Release

PLEASE Be Responsible with Fire

Date: September 19, 2018
Contact: Denise Germann, 307.739.3393

Recent “Red Flag Warnings” in the area combined with extremely dry vegetation has created ideal conditions for wildland fire combustion, rapid fire spread and possible erratic fire behavior.

A “red flag warning” is a fire forecast warning used by the National Weather Service to inform firefighting and land management agencies, and the public, that critical fire weather conditions exist. Weather conditions with this warning include low relative humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds.

Conditions on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and National Elk Refuge, as well as across Teton, Sublette and Lincoln Counties are dry, with little moisture received since late August. Since September 12, a “red flag warning” has been issued daily for the Teton Interagency Dispatch area and this has been the driving force behind the large fire growth seen on the Roosevelt and Marten Fires recently.

During such conditions, the possibility of human-caused fires increases greatly. Although the nights are cold, fire danger is very high. Everyone, especially hunters, are reminded to be responsible with fire and have situational awareness regarding anything that may spark a fire.  Some key reminders and responsibilities include:

• • Make sure it is legal to have a campfire or warming fire,
  • Start and maintain a campfire or warming fire properly, and always have a shovel and water available,
  • Completely extinguish a campfire or warming fire when leaving the site,
  • Maintain vehicles and trailers properly so nothing is throwing a spark,
  • Do not drive through or park on dry grass or vegetation, and
  • Practice fire-safe target shooting.

In the past week, the Bridger-Teton National Forest has had approximately eight fire starts and some of them are believed to be human caused, including the Marten Fire. Due to fire activity and for human safety, there are several area, road and trail closures on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Please visit Teton Interagency Fire website at tetonfires.com for more information.

 To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307.739.3630.