JACKSON, Wyo (Kifi) – Teton County and the city of Jackson have experienced significant wildfires over the past quarter century and have shown no signs of slowing down in recent years. During the wildfires, the Teton County Emergency Management and Jackson Hall Fire / EMS urged all to do their part to prevent man-made wildfires.
Fire is a natural process that plays an important role in ecology and forest health. However, uncontrolled wildfires can have a negative impact on public safety and the built environment. Three recent fires, Wildlife Museum Fire (2019), Saddle Butte Fire (2019) and Swinging Bridge Fire (2020) prompted them to leave and required more firefighting resources to successfully manage them.
Man-made wildfires often occur on roads, trails, streams, or camps and in low-lying houses or valleys, much worse than those caused by natural agents. With firefighters, these fires can spread quickly to the hills. Bobby Klausen, a wildfire fire specialist at Jackson Hall Fire, advises: “In areas where wild land and infrastructure meet, the Durland City Interface or WUI, in turn, can be incredibly difficult to attack and endanger residents, visitors and firefighters.” EMS
Here are some tips to reduce the risk of these fires
- Always check fire limits before starting any kind of fire. Remember low fire does not mean there is no fire hazard. Visit www.tetonfires.com to see what kind of fire regulations are in place.
- Always go to your campfire. Before leaving, make sure the touch is dead and cool. Remember: drown, wake up, feel, repeat.
- Call 911 or Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630 to report wildfires.
- Fireworks cause about 20,000 fires each year in the US. Fireworks are not permitted in the Grand Teton National Park, in the Bridge-Teton National Forest, in the National Elk Shelter, or in the suburbs and Teton districts.
- Drivers are responsible for road accidents. Secure chains and make sure nothing is dragged to the ground. Never drive your vehicle on dry grass or a brush. Put a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and learn how to use it. As a result of the above measures, wildfires are still a threat to our environment. Do not let the first time you teach fire in our wild land be after such a fire.
Learn more by visiting
The 2022 Teton County Emergency Preparedness Calendar shows a different theme each month. The calendar is available online or in print by Teton County Emergency Management at 307-733-9572. Download a PDF copy and get monthly content here.
This post first appeared in Local News 8.
