JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) will move forward with pile burning operations on Phillips Ridge as early as mid-week.
Beginning early March through April 2022, resources will begin igniting piles adjacent to Wyoming State Highway 22 (Teton Pass). Approximately 1000-piles over 25 acres will be targeted for treatment. The burn is part of the Teton to Snake Fuels Reduction Project area.
“Smoke and flames will be visible from the roadway but should not impact any travel,” said BTNF.
Prescribed fires, including pile burns are managed under a precise set of parameters know as a “prescription” which include overall project objectives, temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, current and expected forecast, and fuel conditions, as well as available firefighting resources, and time of season. Before burning, fire managers ensure that all the parameters are within their prescribed fire plan so the operations can be conducted safely, and objectives can be met.
The Teton to Snake Fuels Reduction Project is designed to decrease the risk from unwanted wildfires that could impact communities in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), specifically, Phillips Ridge, Fish Creek, Teton Village, Wilson and the Fall Creek Corridor communities.
BTNF urges local homeowners to decrease their risk by creating and maintaining defensible space on private property. Treatments, such as these, done before a wildfire starts, can provide firefighters the opportunity to minimize or mitigate impacts to private lands.
