Firefighters contain escaped controlled burn on Snake River Ranch

JACKSON (WNE) — Firefighters contained a roughly 2-acre fire on the Snake River Ranch Saturday after a controlled burn escaped and climbed into an aspen stand.

The fire started after a relatively normal April in terms of precipitation and temperature, according to data from the Jackson weather station. The fire danger was also “low” Saturday, according to Teton Interagency Fire, a coalition of firefighting officials in the Jackson region. 

Still, Brian Carr, a Jackson Hole Fire/EMS battalion chief, said private citizens thinking of using a fire to dispose of brush or agricultural waste should do so carefully.

“These guys do this as professional ranch hands, and even they had to get help from the fire department,” he said Saturday on the ranch. “If you’re a homeowner burning stuff, the safety message is definitely ‘Be vigilant.’ ”

Carr said the ranch had “all the proper protections in place.”

“But things happen,” he added.

The fire started as a controlled burn east of Highway 390 on a portion of the ranch just across from a geodome glamping operation on state trust land. At some point, Carr said the burn began to “spot,” which is when sparks or embers leave the perimeter of an existing blaze and start sparking additional fires. Ranch personnel called for help and were able to keep the fire under control until professional firefighters arrived and took over.

Because of the dry grass in the area, the fire was able to climb into the trees, and professional sawyers were dispatched to fell some trees after a few fell down, creating a safety hazard for firefighters.

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS and Teton Village Special Fire District fought the fire together, Carr said. 

Professionals were called in around 11:50 a.m. Saturday and had deemed the fire contained around 2 p.m., when Carr spoke with the Jackson Hole Daily on scene.

This story was published on May 11, 2026.