AFTON, Wyo. — Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is combatting yet another wildfire in its bounds.
On Tuesday, Aug. 13, BTNF reported that a fire, dubbed the Willow Ridge Fire, had been discovered in the Greys River Ranger District about 10 miles northeast of Afton.
The fire, caused by lightning, is covering 0.5 acres on the west side of Willow Creek, according to the forest.
The blaze is mainly burning in brush and grass, along with some dead and downed trees.
This latest wildfire comes as BTNF continues to fight at least three others. The smaller Gros Ventre Slide Fire, which the forest renamed after calling it the Slide Lake Fire, sparked the evening of Monday, Aug. 12 and is covering 0.25 acres south of the Gros Ventre Ranch. The Leeds Creek Fire, which has been burning for almost two weeks in the Pinedale Ranger District, was at 780 acres with 39% contained as of Monday and the Merna Butte Fire, spotted in the early hours of Aug. 10 in the Big Piney Ranger District, was covering 153 acres with 10% contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
BTNF reminds visitors that the current fire danger level in the forest is “high,” meaning that fuels ignite easily. People are urged to use “extreme caution” when using a campfire or cooking outdoors, making sure any fires are fully extinguished and cold before leaving them.
