Board of County Commissioners

Contact: Willy Watsabaugh
Phone: 307.733.4732
Email: wwatsabaugh@tetonwyo.org

With the lack of significant moisture on the valley floor and the condition of fine fuels, Fire Chief Willy Watsabaugh has determined that it is not advisable to lift the county’s fire restrictions that have been in place since July.   

Chief Watsabaugh commented about this decision, “Conditions are not yet such that I feel comfortable lifting our restriction.  The fine fuels- grasses and sage are much too volatile here on the valley floor. If we get a fire start, with the sun and wind we will have tremendous potential for a small fire to grow rapidly. We need some rain or snow to lessen that threat before we lift the restrictions. ” 

The Partial Fire Closure includes prohibition of:

1.      Building, maintaining, attending or using any campfire, except within established campfire grates or rings, which are not less than 25 feet from structures or brush or tree covered areas. Open burning of trash, grass, brush or tree cuttings, and construction debris is prohibited. The use of enclosed stoves or grills, and stoves using liquid or gas fuels is not restricted.

2.      Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren of cleared of all flammable material.

3.      Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order, and 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.

4.      Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch, or open flame device, except in cleared areas at least 1 0 feet in diameter and with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A.

5.      Using explosive devices requiring fuse blasting caps, tracer bullets or tracer charges, or rockets or model aircraft using propellant type engines.

The public is thanked for their continued patience and respect for the current restrictions.  For more information about all fire restrictions and regulations visit: www.tetonfires.com