Teton Interagency Fire Managers Increase Fire Danger Rating to Very High

Teton Interagency Fire managers announce that the fire danger rating has been elevated to ‘Very High’ for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and National Elk Refuge as of today/Tuesday. With exceptionally dry conditions, local residents and visitors alike should practice heightened fire safety at all times.

Bridger Teton National Forest spokeswoman Mary Cernicek says a fire danger rating of ‘Very High’ means that fires can start easily, spread quickly and burn intensely. Recent hot temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions have combined to increase the potential for intense fire activity across the Teton Interagency fire area.

In addition, the fire preparedness level is listed as 5—the highest level—both nationally and for the Eastern Great Basin fire region which is the region covering the Greater Yellowstone Area. Preparedness level 5 means that firefighting resources are concentrated at numerous large fires, and therefore limited for any new fire starts in the region. Teton Interagency fire personnel have extinguished a near record number of 125 unattended or abandoned campfires this summer.