SWEETWATER COUNTY — Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1 and the Bureau of Land Management High Desert District would like to remind residents of the increasing fire danger in Sweetwater County. Firefighters in southwest Wyoming and around the state have seen an increase in fire activity over the past few weeks.

Sweetwater County residents should not be deceived by the afternoon rainfall the area has been receiving and how green the landscape may appear. The predicted weather pattern calls for continued warmer and drier weather for southwest Wyoming, causing live fuel moistures to continue to drop to critical or near critical levels throughout the county, which will allow the dead grass and smaller fuels to carry fire and spread at an increased rate.

These patterns have caused an increase in fire danger for Sweetwater County. When determining fire danger, fire managers use several indicators such as the moisture content of grasses, shrubs, and trees; projected weather conditions including temperatures and possible wind events; the ability of fire to spread after ignition; and availability of firefighting resources across the country.

Over the last 10 years, wildfire activity has been some of the most catastrophic in U.S. history: in 2021, more than 7.1 million acres burned throughout the country. Fire District No. 1 and BLM reminds residents to be fire wise and follow these safety tips when enjoying the great outdoors. Be responsible with campfires. Campfires that aren’t properly maintained and extinguished can cause wildfires.

When extinguishing your campfire, use the “drown, stir and feel” method: drown the fire with water and stir around the fire area with your shovel to wet any remaining embers and ash. Shovel dirt onto the campfire site and mix and smother thoroughly. Feel the area with the back of you hand to make sure all the heat is out. Repeat the process until you are sure there is no more heat left in the campfire.

Lawnmowers, weed eaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildfire.

Motorists are responsible for many wildfires sparked along the roadways. Nearly all of these fires could be prevented by following these simple safety rules.

Target shooting can cause fires.

To report fires on public or private lands call 911. To report fires on public lands you many also contact the BLM at 1-800-295-9953. If you choose to get out outside and enjoy your public lands this summer, please be safe, be responsible and prevent human-caused wildfires.

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