On August 5th, 2025, the Friends of the Bridger-Teton Ambassadors for Responsible Recreation reported three alarming incidents involving abandoned or unsafe campfires in Curtis Canyon, within the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Jackson, Wyoming. With the Teton Interagency Dispatch area under a “very high” fire danger rating due to dry conditions and gusty winds, these incidents underscore the critical need for campfire safety to prevent wildfires in Teton County.
The first incident involved a vigorous campfire in a makeshift rock ring, surrounded by dead pine needles and downed trees, with campers lacking sufficient water to extinguish it. Ambassadors provided extra gallons to douse the fire. In the second case, an illegally camped couple had a fire burning under conifers with only one gallon of water available; Ambassadors again supplied water to ensure safety.
The third incident saw campers abandon a site with a smoldering tree stump and hot ashes in a metal fire ring, which Ambassadors extinguished and relocated to a safe dirt ditch.
To prevent wildfires, the Ambassadors urge campers to follow the “Drown, Stir, Feel, Repeat” method until fires are cold to the touch. “Only you can prevent wildfires,” they echo, quoting Smokey Bear. The Bridger-Teton National Forest has seen 75 abandoned campfires extinguished this year, emphasizing the importance of vigilance. Report unsafe fires to Teton Interagency Dispatch at (307) 739-3630 and check TetonFires.com for fire restrictions and updates.
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