Prescribed burns will be underway in Shoshone National Forest when everyone’s fire awareness must be high to avoid the devastating consequences of forest fires.
Shoshone National Forest Fire and Fuels personnel will begin prescribed burning operations in the Cabin Creek and Gooseberry Creek areas starting Thursday, April 29.
One hundred acres of slash located southwest of Cody, Wyo. along the South Fork of the Shoshone River, will be burnt for bighorn sheep habitat improvement. This burn will take place in the Wapiti District on Thursday, April 29.
Meanwhile, approximately 875 acres of fuel reduction and habitat improvement work in the Gooseberry Creek area of the Greybull District. The burn begins April 29 and likely continue on April 30.
Smoke will likely be visible in both areas throughout the upcoming weekend and possibly into early next week.
Signs are posted in project areas, and adjacent landowners have been notified. Each of these prescribed burn project areas will be patrolled and monitored for several days following ignition.
While these burns are planned, wildfires remain a potent risk throughout northwest Wyoming at this time of year. As spring transitions into summer, it’s good for all Wyomingites to remember the best way they can stop devastating forest fires is to prevent them in the first place.
With warming temperatures and opportunities for outdoor recreation and travel across Wyoming, the Wyoming State Forestry Division (WSFD) reminds everyone who participates in outdoor activities to be aware of the fire risk our presence automatically creates.
Currently, the ground is covering with fuels that will burn quickly and easily. Any of these fine, dead fuels throughout the state can ignite a larger-scale wildfire.
Given the current pre-green-up stage and the impending transition to the green-up stage later this spring, fire awareness is critical.
Fires are frequent across Wyoming’s landscape but are entirely preventable through fire-safe practices.
Please help reduce the risk of wildfires across Wyoming and keep in mind the following tips to reduce wildfire risk:
- Make sure to use appropriate trailer pins and ensure no chains are dragging.
- Spark arrestors for vehicles are required.
- Beware of your surroundings while exploring the wilderness, including wildfire burn scars.
- Be mindful of dry vegetation and dead trees when you park your car and avoid parking in tall grass. The exhaust and undercarriage can easily ignite a wildfire.
- Debris burning is a frequent cause of wildfires. Do not burn when it is windy, and follow all applicable county and local ordinances when burning.
- When arriving at your destination, observe your surroundings. Your vehicle could be caught in a position where sudden escape is difficult. Prepare and plan an exit strategy ahead of time.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Ensure you put out a fire, and it is cool to the touch.
- Campfires and camping activities are not allowed on Wyoming State Trust Land.
For more information on the prescribed burns in Shoshone National Forest, please contact: Beau Kidd, North Zone Fire Management Officer, at 307.578.5206 or the Wapiti, Clarks Fork, Greybull Ranger Districts Office at 307.527.6921
