Thunderstorms moving through Wyoming led to numerous lightning strikes Tuesday and Wednesday evening (July 1/2), which have caused multiple wildfires across the Bridger-Teton National Forest, according to a post shared on the U.S. Forest Service-Bridger-Teton National Forest Facebook page today, July 3.
The reported forest fires include:
- Man Peak fire – Greys River Ranger District near Moose Flat campground 1/10 acre – 2 firefighters
- Pine Grove Fire – Big Piney Ranger District near Deadline Ridge 3 acres – contained
- Alkali Fire- Jackson Ranger District – Near Gros Ventre Wilderness and Goosewing -1 helicopter, 2 single engine air tankers and Helitack crew -1 acre with a type 2 crew on scene
- Maki Fire – Big Piney District – 1/10 acre
- Kitten Fire – Blackrock Ranger District – 1 acre in timber – Teton Wilderness 8 firefighters
- Irene Creek Fire- Big Piney District – South Cottonwood area – close to where the Pine Grove Fire was and firefighters are on scene
- Dry Basin Fire – Big Piney District close to where the Pine Grove Fire was and firefighters are on scene 1/10 acre.
- Grover Park – Greys River Ranger District, firefighters are responding to a smoke report.
“Between the onset of storms on Tuesday, over 4,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the Bridger-Teton National Forest,” the Facebook post informs. “More than 16,000 lightning strikes struck Wyoming in the last 48-hours. Lightning and rainfall will likely continue Saturday.”
The post goes on to share that Bridger-Teton National Forest firefighters have been “positioned throughout the forest in anticipation of developing storms,” and a “full-suppression strategy is underway, keeping these fires small.”
“Firefighters will be seen across the forest throughout the next few days looking for new fires that may start in the hours and days after other lightning strikes. Bridger-Teton firefighters are also responding to mutual aid calls from other firefighting agencies.”
The public is asked to avoid areas where firefighters are working so they can extinguish these fires as soon as possible.
A recent message from Governor Gordon asked Wyoming residents to keep this all in mind during the 4th of July festivities because “no one wants to see a repeat of last summer,” which was Wyoming’s “second-worst on record, with more than 810,000 acres burned around the state. “
“…We cannot ignore the fact that we are already seeing an uptick in fire activity across the state,” Governor Gordon said. “Wyoming’s fuels are drying out and fire risk has increased. As you celebrate this Fourth of July weekend, please do so responsibly. Carelessness with fireworks, with campfires and with open flames can quickly turn disastrous.”
If you see a fire, please report it to Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.