Bridger-Teton contains 2 more blazes amid ‘high’ fire danger
JACKSON (WNE) — Firefighters responded Monday to two fires on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, including one that led passersby to report smoke on Teton Pass.
Fire crews and a forest firefighting engine responded to the smoke report, which was on Phillips Ridge and caused by a large campfire. Campers who had started the fire were on the scene but did not have adequate water to extinguish the fire, said CJ Adams, a public affairs specialist for the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Fire crews and a forest engine assisted the campers in extinguishing the Phillips Ridge campfire, Adams said.
Both fire reports follow federal fire managers’ decision last week to increase valley fire danger levels to high. The increase came a week earlier than last season.
Bridger-Teton officials have documented a total of 38 unattended campfires so far this summer, Adams said, more than double the number of unattended campfires this time last season.
“Some people think that just a water bottle will do for putting out a fire, but you actually need several gallons of water,” he said.
Fire officials discourage campers from burning any wood larger than a forearm. They also recommend keeping approximately five gallons of water on hand to properly put out the fire. When extinguishing fires, officials suggest “drowning” the campfire, stirring it with a shovel, and feeling it to ensure coals are cold to the touch.
Fire crews also responded to the lightning-caused Boulder Creek Fire on Monday. The fire, first reported Sunday, was estimated to be roughly 0.1 to 0.25 acres. As of press time Monday, it was officially “out,” Adams said.
Officials have still not imposed fire restrictions, but fireworks are always banned on the Bridger-Teton and in Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge.
The decisions surrounding fire restrictions are based on several factors including predicted fire potential, fuels and vegetation conditions, weather, and the availability of fire response resources.
This story was published on June 23, 2026.
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