Western WY-  The Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and the High Desert District of the Bureau of Land Management, as well as Teton, Sublette and Lincoln Counties in Wyoming, are implementing fire restrictions.   The restrictions do not apply to the Gros Ventre, Bridger and Teton Wilderness.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be implemented on federal public lands as of 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, September 22.   These restrictions allow fires only in approved fire pits, rings or grills in developed areas, and smoking is restricted to certain locations.

Fire restrictions on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park include:

·         Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbecue or grill is allowed only at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.

·         Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials (i.e. parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).

Many campgrounds on federal lands are closing for the season, or discontinuing visitor amenities such as water.  On the Bridger-Teton National Forest, many campgrounds remain open but water may not be available due to cooler temperatures and potential for freezing pipes.  Campers and hunters may need to transport their own water and must have sufficient water available to fully extinguish a campfire or warming fire.

The moisture content of various fuel types, current and expected weather conditions, and available fire-fighting resources, as well as the occurrence of human-caused fires are factors in the determination to implement fire restrictions on public lands.

Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires. The fire danger for the area is very high, and all campfires and warming fires should always be attended to.  When leaving a campfire or warming fire, please be sure the fire is “dead out” and cold to the touch.

The following restrictions exist year round on federal public lands:

·         Operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks. Operating a chainsaw on national forest lands is permitted only when equipped with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.

·         Discharge of fireworks and use of explosives requiring blasting caps are prohibited.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or by imprisonment for more than six months.

For specific information about designated recreation sites and locations where fires are allowed on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park, please visit www.TetonFires.com and click on restrictions.

The public is encouraged to report illegal campfires, as well as smoke reports, to Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch at 307-739-3630.  For more information about fire restrictions, fire activity in the area, and fire prevention visit www.TetonFires.com.