“Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect for Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and National Elk Refuge beginning 12:01 a.m. Thursday July 1, 2021.” – National Park Service (NPS.gov)
Fire Restrictions for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and National Elk Refuge Areas:
Forest fires are certainly nothing to kid around about and during the summer months, they can be brutal. Preventing a forest fire starts with each and every one of us who visits the Grand Teton | Jackson Hole region. Everything from being mindful of your campfires and cooking fires to also being aware that parking over tall grass with hot engine components, like a hot exhaust pipe, when simply going for a hike or some exercise can also start a fire. Here are the current fire restrictions and what they mean. This information comes from the National Park Service and is current as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday July 1st, 2021.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions 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).
The Following Restrictions Exist Year-Round:
• Operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks and on the wildlife refuge. 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.
• Charcoal burning fires are only allowed in official campgrounds and picnic areas.
• Stoves and grills that burn contained fuel sources that can be turned off and on are allowed. Stoves and grills must be attended to all times and be setup on hardened surfaces devoid of vegetation at least three feet in diameter.
Fire Links:
- Teton Interagency Fire – Daily Fire Danger Ratings
- Teton Interagency Fire – Local Wildfire Information
- Teton Interagency Fire – Recent News
- National Park Service – “Partial Fire Restrictions Begin July 1, 2021”