Bridger-Teton National Forest

Fire and Aviation

Fire History

FIRE MANAGEMENT IN THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA

FIRE: A NATURAL PROCESS

Wildland fires are a natural disturbance to the ecosystem that shapes vegetation of the interior west. Plant and wildlife species adapt and coexist with fire. Historically, fires in the Greater Yellowstone Area burned periodically with varying sizes and intensities. However, as the human population increased in the inland west, land managers adopted a policy of aggressive fire suppression. Removing fire from the ecological process led to older, homogeneous vegetation without the previous diversity. Exclusion of fire results in unnatural changes to the landscape.

Wyoming Game and Fish Cabin,Bridger-Teton National Forest in 1905	Same photo point 67 years later. Note change in vegetation.

Fire Use

Prescribed and wildland fires are used to return fire to the landscape.

Prescribed and wildland fires can accomplish resource objectives such as improving wildlife habitat, or restoring diverse vegetation to the ecosystem.

Prescribed Fire

Prescribed fires are ignited by specialists. These fires require a plan, prepared in advance, describing objectives, fuels, size and the specific environmental conditions and are only ignited under specific, predetermined conditions.

Wildland Fire Use for Resource Benefit

These fires are lightning-caused fires managed to achieve resource objectives. The fires are allowed on lands with approved fire plans. A specific management strategy is implemented for each of these fires based on fuel, weather, fire conditions and resources that might be endangered.

Fires burn with varied intensities.

Fire Suppression

Unwanted lightning or human caused fire are suppressed. A lightning or human fire will be extinguished if it threatens lives, property, critical natural or cultural resources, or does not meet management objectives. An appropriate management action is required for each wildland fire. The appropriate response considers public safety of firefighters, values at risk, cost of suppression, and resulting resource values.

Urban Wildland Interface

Unwanted fires in the wildland urban interface are a growing concern. As more people are living in or near the forest, homes are becoming threatened by wildland fires. Fire-safe landscaping, housing construction and personal preparedness will reduce the risk of unwanted wildland fires from burning homes.

Prevention of Wildfires

While fire is a necessary part of the ecosystem, human caused wildfires are the cause of large losses of property, natural resources and human life. Remember you can help prevent unwanted fires by being careful with matches, campfires and other flammable devices.

Understanding Fire’s Return to the Ecosystem

As we understand fire’s necessary role in the ecosystem, we must also accept its consequences such as hazy skies, patches of blackened landscape and the risk of a fire becoming too large. Our warm and dry summers set the stage for large fires in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Although the build up of fuels from 100 years of fire suppression might influence these fires, widespread large fires are natural occurrences in this area. Our acceptance and understanding of the need for wildland fire will help return and sustain the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s natural ecological balance.

Fire managers in the GYA work together to promote the integration of wildland fire use, suppression, and prescribed fire to meet the social and ecological needs of the area.