State Forester Urging Residents To Be Careful With Fire

With fire conditions usually not seen until August and an abundance of fuel in dead grass, timber and brush, Wyoming State Forester Bill Crapser says it is extremely important to take precautions during all outdoor activities.

Crapser says most wildland fires are started by lightning, but many are human caused. He says many counties have issued fire restrictions and residents should heed them.

Crapser says 1,000 hour fuels are down to about 6-percent moisture. He says we don’t usually see that until mid-August in Wyoming. Crapser says as the wildland fire threat grows, so does the cost of fighting fires. He says resources will be limited as Wyoming and neighboring states are fighting wildland fires. Crapser says situation is particularly critical in areas of the state where downed timber from pine beetle is plentiful.