◆ Crews will work along the Sheep Bridge Trail (130) over the next several weeks.

Provided by Caribou-Targhee National Forest

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest resumed fuel reduction work near Teton Canyon Sept. 8.
This is one component of the larger Teton Canyon Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, which is being used to reduce the risk of wildfire near Teton Canyon and improve aspen habitat.

“Fuels work allows us to improve ecological conditions,” said Jay Pence, Teton Basin District Ranger. “The Teton Canyon project removes high density fuels in the area, which will ultimately reduce the intensity of wildfire should one ignite near private residences.”

Crews are creating a buffer along the forest boundary near Teton Creek to help keep future wildfires in the forest and away from private residences.

The treatment focuses on cutting smaller diameter trees that act as ladder fuels, which can draw the fire from the ground up into the tree canopy resulting in devastating crown fires. The vegetation removed by crews will be piled and burned the following year. Piles are specifically built to burn during the wetter months of the year when fire spread potential is minimal, so forest officials ask you to leave them alone.

Crews will work along the Sheep Bridge Trail (130) between the hours of 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. over the next several weeks.

The Sheep Bridge trail will be closed while crews are working in proximity to the trail. The trail will open once work adjacent to the trail is complete. Some dispersed recreation sites north of Teton Creek will be affected for several days.

The Forest Service is requesting visitors respect closures for their safety and the safety of our crews. Maintain high situational awareness regarding changing conditions as some material may be found on or near the trail.

The treatment within the Sheep Bridge area has received extensive public input and community support. It is part of a larger treatment that will occur within the rest of the Teton Canyon area over the next several years to help protect forest visitors, private residences, and firefighters in the event of a wildfire.

To learn more about how you can make your home resilient to wildfire go to firewise.org.

For project information and closures, or for other trail recommendations contact the Teton Basin Ranger District office at 208-354-2312.