ALTA, Wyo. — The Teton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) passed a resolution this morning banning open fires in the unincorporated area of Teton County west of the Teton Range, including the community of Alta.
Drought has led to high fire danger in Alta and in the rest of Teton County. Neighboring Teton County, Idaho, is currently under fire restrictions.
“This decision is based on a number of factors, including the predicted fire potential, conditions of the fuels, the number of regional fire starts, available resources, and an expected increase in human activity,” states a press release issued by Teton County Tuesday morning. “Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Mike Moyer says entering fire restrictions in conjunction with Teton County, Idaho ensures consistent messaging and helps to reduce fire risk for the entire Teton Valley community.”
Anyone violating the restriction could be subject to a misdemeanor and a $100 fine, or imprisonment in the County jail for up to 30 days. Exceptions to the open fire ban include the following:
- Trash or refuse fires are permitted between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. inside containers with a maximum ¼-inch screen spark arresters and located within a cleared area 15 feet in radius.
- Campfires contained within an established fire ring at an established campground are permitted to be located within a minimum of 15 feet cleared radius of burnable materials.
- Charcoal fires within enclosed grills are permitted.
- Use of acetylene cutting torches, electric arc welders, or metal grinding in cleared areas of 15 feet in radius is permitted.
- The use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel, or fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stoves and open fire branding activities in cleared areas 15 feet in radius are permitted.
- Use of home fire pits and bowls is permitted, so long as used with maximum ¼-inch screen spark arresters.
“Currently there are no fire restrictions in Teton County, Wyoming east of the Teton Range; however, Chief Moyer says that may change soon if conditions remain dry,” the press release includes. “Jackson Hole Fire/EMS continues to monitor and discuss conditions with local, state, and federal partners on a weekly basis.”
