Fires banned on Game and Fish Commission owned and administered lands
by Wyoming Game & Fish
July 11, 2012
With the severe drought conditions, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is banning open fires on all Game and Fish Commission-owned and administered lands. This includes all Wildlife Habitat Management Areas and Public Access Areas in the Jackson, Pinedale, and Star Valley areas.
¡§Even with some recent isolated afternoon showers, drought conditions continue across Wyoming and the potential for human-caused fires, including catastrophic fires, has become very high,¡¨ said Pinedale Habitat Access Supervisor Ray Bredehoft. ¡§While prescribed fires can be beneficial for wildlife, intense wildfires can be dangerous and have adverse impacts on both people and wildlife, which is why the Department has instituted the fire ban.¡¨
The following acts are prohibited on all Game and Fish Commission-owned and administered lands:
„« Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grill, coal or wood burning stove.
„« Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
As an example of the potentially destructive effects of a wildfire, The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently lost over 100 tons of hay and several associated structures at its Finnegan elk feedground, due to the Fontenelle Fire burning west of Big Piney. Total losses are expected to exceed $100,000. It is planned to have the structures rebuilt this summer with the feedground back in full operation for the upcoming winter.
For more information on the fire ban on Game and Fish lands contact your local Game and Fish Office.
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