The Bridger-Teton National Forest has begun clearing roads and trails north of where the Willow Creek Fire burned, with the initial goal to make it possible for cattle to pass in and out. Some of the trails and roads on the north end of the forest boundary next to private land were blocked by downed trees and bushes, covering the roads and making them impossible to pass through, let alone herd cattle through.
“We are continuing to coordinate with interested parties to ensure their concerns are being addressed,” explained Greys River District Ranger Justin Laycock on Tuesday. “Some adjustments have been made to the repair work already with some additional tweaks happening over the next several days.”
Ranchers in the area have been working to find cattle on the mountain that had been scattered by the fire. Some expressed their concern regarding the condition of the roads, saying they couldn’t go up the mountain to find their cattle, let alone get them off by the September 25 deadline.
Concerns over public access and treatment of the forest arose by landowners who share a property line with the forest service after large holes were found dug into the ground at gates leading from their property into the forest. Also long stretches of road that had been covered by forest debris. During an informal meeting with landowners and ranchers on September 15, Laycock said crews were given direction to limit motorized access onto the forest as they implemented fire suppression methods on forest service land in the area north of where the Willow Creek Fire burned. Laycock said the forest service would focus on repairing the roads well enough to allow cattle to pass through and also fill the holes.
Kent Eischen, a Smoot resident who owns land in the Gannet Hills area next to the Bridger-Teton, said that as of Sunday not all of the holes had been filled. According to Eischen, the forest service had been working in the area south of his property, but felt a lot more still needs to be done. “It is just so excessive,” Eischen lamented while standing next to FSR10419, a forest road that is accessed through his and other neighboring private land. “I have a hard time believing this was an accident. This wasn’t done by a rogue operator.”
The forest surrounding the Willow Creek Fire, which burned over 4,000 acres in the Salt Pass (South End) area south of Smoot, still remains closed to the public but could begin reopening soon. “A reduced closure area is expected by the end of this week to allow public access where feasible,” said Laycock.
The forest service is planning to meet with landowners and ranchers again in early October to provide an update on the progress made. SVI Media will provide additional updates following that meeting.
