JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has implemented a fire ban on all Game and Fish Commission-owned and administered land in Teton, Lincoln and Sublette counties, effective immediately.
WGFD announced Tuesday that the ban applies to all of its wildlife habitat management areas (totaling 18) and public access areas (totaling 43) in those three counties. In Teton County, that includes bans in the following areas: Camp Creek, Horse Creek, Patrol Cabin, South Park, Teton, Woods Canyon, Coco Belle Van Meerendonk (near Alta) and Von Gontard Landing.
“Wildfires can drastically change the landscape and take many years to recover from,” WGFD’s announcement states. “They can impact wildlife, agriculture and recreation, and can increase the spread of invasive annual grasses like cheatgrass. Many Commission-owned properties are managed as winter range for big game and other wildlife. A fire on one of these properties could significantly impact winter forage for wildlife. Game and Fish encourages everyone using public lands to be vigilant stewards and recreate responsibly.”
The following activities are prohibited under the fire ban:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire, campfire, charcoal grill, coal or wood-burning stove.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at 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.
- Lighting fireworks (always prohibited on Commission-owned lands).
The ban follows weeks of escalating fire restrictions in Teton County as fire danger has increased. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place across the county and on nearby public lands. Town of Jackson residents are reminded to limit irrigation to preserve sufficient water resources for fire response. On Sunday afternoon, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS extinguished a lightning-sparked blaze in Bar BC Ranch.
