fire prevention

A group of mostly Western U.S. Senators is demanding answers on why the U.S. Forest Service has fallen behind on efforts to reduce hazardous wildfire fuels. The 12 senators – all Democrats – are from Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and other wildfire-impacted states.

Wyoming lawmakers wonder if more fuel management on ranches will help in the face of high insurance costs.

The American West has seen the number of structures lost in wildfires more than triple in recent decades. But new research shows that home hardening measures can significantly increase a home’s chances of survivability during a wildfire.

When conditions allow for it to be done safely, research strongly suggests that land managers should let some fires burn to reduce the risk of catastrophic blazes. But making that decision can be complicated. A new study highlights ways to incentivize that often difficult call.

Committee chairman Rep. John Bear (R-Gillette) said there were three areas he wanted the committee to explore: mangement, preparation and funding.

President Trump has signed an executive order on wildfire policy, which seeks to speed responses to wildfires and address what it calls “reckless mismanagement.”

Nearly every member of the Vedauwoo Volunteer Fire Department resigned over the recent firing of their chief. The area is still being served by another nearby department.

Fire crews are starting to do some prescribed burning in Grand Teton National Park this week. The efforts help reduce future wildfire risk by burning dead wood and brush in the cooler late fall conditions.

Fire danger is continuing to rise throughout the state as summer progresses. Fire restrictions are in place across much of Wyoming, with recent bans in Yellowstone National Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument.

Heat advisories have been issued for much of eastern Wyoming from noon on Thursday to Sunday night. Those advisories include the areas around Bighorn Basin, Wind River Basin, and Natrona and Johnson counties.