The Greys River Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to implement a phase of the Star Valley Front Vegetation Treatment Project located east of Star Valley and consists of a 64,612 acre project area with 31,477 acres of proposed burn units extending from Strawberry Creek south to Cottonwood Creek, from the east boundary to the top of the Salt River Range.
Burning will start this year in the far northeast corner of the project area in unit #8, an 11,000 acre unit starting in Strawberry Creek and heading south along the Salt River Range. The initial acres to be treated in Strawberry Creek will be between 2000-3000 acres, a sub-unit of unit #8.
This prescribed burn project is a cooperative project between Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Teton Science School and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
According to Don DeLong, Wildlife Biologist, the main purpose of the project is to improve age-class diversity and plant vigor in mountain shrub land, big sagebrush, and aspen communities, especially on mule deer and elk winter range. Acting Assistant Fire Management Officer for Fuels, Chad Machmer, stated that “an additional benefit will be a reduction in fuel loading, which will assist in the management of future wildland fires.”
Machmer went on to say that “actual ignition will be dependent on meeting strict parameters for weather and fire behavior conditions.” The majority of ignition will be performed aerially with helicopter and is expected to be carried out anytime between September 1 and October 30.
The communities of Bedford and Turnerville, as well as Forest visitors camping and recreating in the area, may experience short term smoky conditions in the vicinity of the burn unit during ignition operations. Smoke may linger in valleys during the evening and early morning hours, potentially affecting community residents. Temporary trail and road closures may also occur, if necessary, to provide for public and firefighter safety. Eddie Taylor, Acting Fire Management Officer, stressed that “Interagency fire managers will work hard to minimize any adverse impacts as the burn proceeds.”
For further information please contact the Greys River Ranger District at (307) 886-5300 or visit www.tetonfires.com
- Curtis Canyon Ambassadors Report Close Calls with Unsafe Campfires - August 6, 2025
- Pet Goldfish Found Swimming in May Park Pond - August 5, 2025
- Fire Danger Elevated to Very High for Teton Area - July 30, 2025
