JACKSON, Wyo. — As growth of the Dollar Lake Fire slows — the fire remains at 19,490 acres and 63% containment — crews are beginning the slog of fire suppression repair and rehabilitation work.

This piece of equipment is working on a steep hillside to rehabilitate a fireline created in the earlier days in the Dollar Lake Fire. Photo: USFS

According to a Tuesday Facebook post by Bridger-Teton National Forest, fire suppression repair is done to help restore the environment after the impacts of firefighting operations. This work seeks to assist the ecosystem in recovering and returning to its natural state.

A view of the Dollar Lake Fire incident command post. Photo: USFS

“A key component of this process is the rehabilitation of dozer lines, which are created to control fires but can disrupt the land,” the post reads. “To repair these lines, crews use excavators and dozers to remove berms, create water bars, and scatter rocks, brush and woody materials.”

A water bar is a small, diagonal ditch or berm built across a fireline to divert surface water off the disturbed soil, helping to prevent erosion. Photo: USFS

Those operations serve different purposes, including reducing the visibility of dozer lines and creating natural barriers that trap sediment. Disturbed soil, especially on steep terrain, is more vulnerable to erosion from wind and rain. Trapping sediment prevents it from washing into nearby streams, rivers and lakes, which can lead to water pollution and disruption of aquatic habitats.

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.