Teton County, federal fire managers increase danger to high
JACKSON (WNE) — Teton County, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge, Sublette County and Lincoln County all are now deemed high fire danger, meaning wildfires can start easily and spread quickly.
Federal and county fire managers on Tuesday made the collective decision to increase the danger due to the condition of fuels and a spree of abandoned fires on public lands.
Fire danger indices, like fuel moisture, are below record levels, but are still well above average for this time of year, said CJ Adams, a spokesperson for the Bridger-Teton.
Though the landscape appears green, fuels are in condition to release a lot of energy should a fire break out, said Brian Coe, deputy chief of operations for Teton County Fire/EMS. Their energy release potential was hovering between high and very high, Coe said.
Live and dead fuels are showing low fuel moisture, Adams said. Trees are dry enough that they could lead to timber fires, even at high elevations.
As conditions continue to dry, land managers have seen an uptick in abandoned fires. There have been 38 unattended campfires found to date this year, up from 15 at the same time last year, Adams said.
With the summer season off to a busy start, human traffic on park and forest lands also contributed to the decision, Coe said.
County and federal fire managers have not yet seriously discussed fire restrictions.
The safest kind of fire to build is no fire at all, according to land managers. Instead, campers can dress warmly and use layers.
Those choosing to build fires should have a few gallons of water to extinguish it. A water bottle is not enough to fully extinguish a fire.
To put out a fire, drown, stir, feel and repeat until ashes are cold to the touch. Break up charred logs and cover all remains of the fire with dirt.
This story was published on June 19, 2026.
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