On March 3rd, Teton County and the Town of Jackson officially endorsed the 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan during a joint meeting of the Town Council and Board of County Commissioners. Presented by Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, the plan serves as a detailed guide for reducing wildfire risks across Teton County. It was announced on March 10th that the endorsement, supported by State Forester Kelly Norris and Teton County Fire Warden Fire Chief Mike Moyer, keeps the area eligible for state and federal wildfire mitigation funding.
The CWPP uses scientific and engineering methods to assess wildfire threats, focusing on the Wildland-Urban Interface boundary. It outlines strategies like hardening structures, creating defensible spaces, and managing fuels on public lands to lessen wildfire intensity and improve emergency response. Since the last plan in 2014, over 130,000 acres in Teton County have burned, one of Wyoming’s most wildfire-prone areas. Updates include advanced technology and artificial intelligence for risk analysis and early fire detection.
Fire Marshal Raymond Lane emphasized protecting critical infrastructure, such as cell towers and evacuation routes, to avoid response setbacks during wildfires. The plan aims to minimize threats to life, property, and natural resources, set mitigation priorities, and boost community awareness. Residents can access the full document online or at locations like JHF/EMS Station 1, Teton County Library, Town Hall, and the Parks and Recreation Center.
