JACKSON, Wyo. — The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the implementation of stage 1 fire restrictions yesterday, prohibiting open fires in the unincorporated area of Teton County.

The restrictions went into effect immediately, and they will remain in place until “fire conditions lessen,” according to the press release by Jackson Hole Fire/EMS. Stage 1 restrictions went into effect this morning in Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the National Elk Refuge and in Yellowstone National Park, and Teton County, Idaho, is under a burn ban. BCC prohibited open fires in Alta at the end of July.

“Due to the worsening fire conditions, our state and federal partners decided it was time to move forward with stage 1 fire restrictions regionally,” Fire/EMS Chief Mike Moyer said in the announcement. “Placing fire restrictions is a proactive step to reduce risk of human caused fire starts.”

Moyer added that Teton County’s fire danger is rated “very high” due to drought conditions and the presence of dry fuels.

Those who violate the restrictions could be charged with a misdemeanor and a fine of $100, or imprisonment for up to 30 days. The following exceptions are allowed:

  1. Trash or refuse fires are permitted between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., inside containers with a maximum ¼-inch screen spark arresters and located within a cleared area 15 feet in radius.
  2. Campfires contained within an established fire ring at an established campground are
    permitted to be located within a minimum of 15 feet cleared radius of burnable
    materials.
  3. Charcoal fires within enclosed grills are permitted.
  4. Use of acetylene cutting torches, electric arc welders or metal grinding in cleared areas of 15 feet in radius is permitted.
  5. The use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stoves and open fire branding activities in cleared areas 15 feet in radius are permitted.
  6. Use of home fire pits and bowls is permitted, so long as they are used with maximum ¼-inch screen spark arresters.
  7. Current Teton County Board of County Commissioners Resolution 13-027, banning
    fireworks pursuant to W.S. §35-10-202 remains in effect.

Fire/EMS noted that its team continues to monitor and discuss conditions with local, state and federal partners on a weekly basis. Stage 2 fire restrictions could be next if conditions worsen, which could restrict things like campfires. Moyer told Buckrail that stage 2 restrictions have rarely been implemented locally.

As a reminder: Open burning is prohibited within the Town of Jackson, except during designated spring and fall burn weeks. When no fire restrictions are implemented, the rest of Teton County (outside of town limits) can follow these rules for open burns.

Marianne is the Editor of Buckrail. She handles breaking news and reports on a little bit of everything. She's interested in the diversity of our community, arts/entertainment and crazy weather.