JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Fire/EMS (JHF/EMS), in collaboration with the Teton Area Wildfire Protection Coalition (TAWPC) and engineering consultant Jensen Hughes, is revising the Community Wildlife Protection Plan (CWPP) and asking the public to join the conversation.

The aim is to help create a wildfire resilient community.

According to a press release, the CWPP helps identify and recommend measures that can reduce structural ignitability, prioritize fuel reduction treatments and work toward overall community preparedness by bringing members of the public, emergency responders, planners and land management agencies together to find local solutions to wildfire management.

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS is inviting the public to participate in one of five planning workshops, which will help shape the CWPP and define future wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects for Teton County. The workshops are listed below:

  • June 5 at the Teton County Library – Jackson Branch
  • June 6 at the Hatchet Grill in Moran
  • June 7 at the Teton County Library – Alta Branch
  • June 8 at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse
  • June 9 at Munger Mountain Elementary School

All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m.

There will be a chainsaw raffle each evening and all attendees will be eligible.

Those unable to attend in person are invited to take an online survey at Teton County’s public engagement site. To survey can be accessed in English and Spanish.

The revision process will be guided by the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, an initiative to encourage collaboration among stakeholders, across all landscapes, with three key goals: Resilient Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities and Safe and Effective Wildfire Response.

“Wildfire risk is based on several factors,” said JHF/EMS Wildfire Prevention Specialist Bobbi Clauson. “Understanding which factors affect our community will help identify strategies that could reduce our risk, so it’s very important to have public participation throughout the revision process.”

Following the planning meetings, the project team will review feedback from the public and implement it into the plan. A draft version of the plan will be presented to JHF/EMS and TAWPC later this fall. A finalized plan will be presented to the Teton County Board of County Commissioners by July 2024.

Revisions to the CWPP occur every three to five years. Teton County’s current plan was implemented in 2014.