JACKSON, Wyo. — Reports of unattended campfires on the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) has caused forest employees to visit campsites throughout the region in an effort to educate campers.
According to an announcement on Wednesday by BTNF, during recent patrols, several smoldering campfires were found unattended, that could have been potentially disastrous. This summer, BTNF found 66 abandoned campfires on the forest.
BTNF Fire Management Officer James Turner reminded visitors that the number one culprit of human-caused fires is escaped campfires which are not fully extinguished.
“Even though we have had recent moisture across much of the Forest, we still need to be careful with campfires and warming fires,” Turner said in a statement. Recent cooler temperatures have aided in slowing the Fish Creek Fire on BTNF, but it continues to smolder across 25,017 acres.
BTNF reminds visitors that “a cold morning doesn’t mean fires can’t spread quickly.” Visitors to the BTNF are reminded to never walk away from a smoldering campfire. Ensure a fire is completely out by mixing water, earth and embers until it’s cool to the touch. Anyone lighting a campfire on the forest should have a bucket of water and a shovel nearby. Campers and hunters are to build their campfires in a safe spot, and keep them small. Even in the fall, discarded cigarettes or hot mufflers on vehicles parked in tall, dry grass could ignite a wildfire.
BTNF officials will issue citations for fires that are not fully extinguished.
“Leaving a campfire burning on the National Forest is a punishable offense,” BTNF Supervisor Chad Hudson said in the announcement. “Violators could face a fine and/or prison, and anyone responsible for starting a wildfire may be held responsible for the cost of putting it out.”
