JACKSON, Wyo. — Stage 1 fire restrictions went into effect yesterday for the entire Teton Interagency Dispatch area, and agencies are urging campers not to abandon campfires.

Included in that area are Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) and the National Elk Refuge. In a Tuesday press release, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) stated that the Teton Interagency Dispatch area remains under high fire danger, which means wildfires can start easily and spread quickly. Teton County implemented the same restrictions for unincorporated areas of the county on Tuesday.

“Fire managers use a variety of factors to determine when fire restrictions need to be applied to public lands, including the moisture content of fuels (how dry grasses, shrubs and trees are); projected weather conditions (including temperatures and possible wind events); the availability of firefighting resources nationwide; and the occurrence of human-caused fires,” wrote USFS.

Campfires in GTNP are only allowed in designated metal fire grates, and campfires are never allowed on the National Elk Refuge. Possessing, igniting, discharging or using any kind of fireworks or explosives on public lands is strictly prohibited. On the BTNF, the following restrictions apply, as of Wednesday:

  • Smoking is prohibited, unless in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
  • Welding and operating acetylene or other torch with open flame are prohibited, unless in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator.

According to USFS, Teton Interagency Fire personnel have extinguished 67 unattended or abandoned campfires so far this year. Abandoned campfires can escalate quickly into wildfires, and a person can be held financially responsible if their campfire sparks into a wildfire.

Help prevent wildfires

Land managers say that during times of elevated fire danger and restrictions, the safest option is to not build a campfire at all. People are encouraged to dress warmly with layers instead of relying on a campfire for warmth. For those who do choose to have a campfire where it is allowed, be sure to have a plan for putting it out before lighting it.

  • Never leave a campfire unattended or abandoned.
  • Have a shovel and water bucket on hand.
  • Use several gallons of water to fully extinguish the campfire.
  • Drown, stir, feel and repeat until the ashes are cold to the touch.
  • Break up charred logs and cover all remains with dirt.
  • Do not park on tall grass, as grass can ignite when in contact with a hot vehicle,
  • If pulling a trailer, ensure chains are clear of the ground to prevent sparks.
  • If found, put out abandoned campfires, if possible, and call Teton Interagency Dispatch to report location: (307) 739-3630.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.