Wildfire Update
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Wildfire Update |
The lightning caused Kelley fire is burning 244-miles northeast of Cokeville, Wyoming on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The 285-acre wildland fire is being used by fire officials to improve the resource and restore natural fires to the ecosystem. The Kemmerer District has implemented a temporary area closure around the Kelley fire to provide for public safety as the fire continues to burn.
The Kelley fire is considered a wildland fire use fire. Wildland fire use is a tool that allows lightning caused fires burning in approved areas to play its natural role in the ecosystem and accomplish resource objectives. Resource objectives for the Bridger-Teton include improving range conditions, wildlife habitat, and watershed health. While there may be short-term impacts to Forest users, this additional tool recognizes the role of wildland fire as an essential ecological process and will help to reduce the risk and cost of future wildfires.
Only carefully selected fires in specific areas and under appropriate weather and fire behavior conditions are managed as wildland fire use fires. Managers consider adverse social and economic consequences, such as impacts to livestock permitees, outfitter guides, and recreationsists before making a fire use declaration. Ignitions are not allowed to burn if they pose a risk to private lands and structures or culturally sensitive areas.
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