JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton Interagency Fire has announced that fire danger has been downgraded from “very high” to “high” in Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge as of Wednesday, Sept. 10.
“Recent and forecasted rain and cooler temperatures have decreased fire danger, however wildfires can still start easily and spread quickly,” the agency’s press release states. “Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for the area.”
Restrictions have been in place for the past month, and they remain in place across Teton County as well as within Yellowstone National Park.
Stage 1 fire restrictions
In Grand Teton National Park, campfires are only allowed in designated metal fire grates. Campfires are never allowed on the National Elk Refuge. For the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the following Stage 1 fire restrictions apply:
- Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) is prohibited, except if it is in:
- A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas), listed in Forest Order # 04-03-25-304, Exhibit A.
- A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
- A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least 5 feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
The following Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to all public lands within the Teton Interagency Dispatch area, including Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge:
- Fireworks and explosives are strictly prohibited, as always.
- Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
- Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is prohibited, except if 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.
Violations of these prohibitions are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for up to six months, or both, according to the press release.
“So far this year, Teton Interagency Fire personnel have extinguished 120 unattended or abandoned campfires and 23 illegal attended campfires since fire restrictions were implemented on Aug. 12,” the release states. “Unattended and illegal campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and if your campfire sparks a wildfire, you can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out.”
