As hunting seasons gets underway, the Wyoming State Forestry Division wants to remind everyone to use extra caution when it comes to fire safety.
With the recent end of a wet spring and summer, grasses that grew tall have dried out. This makes it much easier to accidentally start a fire that could quickly grow out of control.
"Most of the fires that are human-caused are vehicles or campfires that have escaped or been left unattended," said Bill Crapser, the Wyoming State Forester. "We just really recommend people be real safe with fires, real safe with their vehicles in tall grass, and just be aware that it's easy to start fires this time of year."
Crapser said to ensure campfires are completely put out and to never leave a campfire unattended. When the fire is burning, keep a shovel and a bucket of water nearby.
He also said to avoid driving in tall grass. A hot tail pipe can easily light dry grass on fire as you pass by. Another thing: keep an eye on your trailer chains.
"Make sure that the safety chains on trailers aren't dragging on the pavement as they're going down the road," said Crapser.
He said a high number of fires across the country are caused by sparks from trailer chains.
There are currently multiple fires burning in Wyoming, including the Fishhawk Fire in Northern Wyoming, which has burned over 11,000 acres so far and is 68% percent contained, and the Pedro Mountain Fire in the Wind River Range, which has burned over 23,000 acres so far and is 95 percent contained.
