Wind River/Bighorn Basin District
| Contacts: | Sarah Beckwith | |||
| 307-347-5207 |
Extreme Fire Danger: BLM Urges Caution
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wind River/Bighorn Basin District (WR/BBD) is warning the public that the fire danger rating throughout the WR/BBD is extreme and urges caution for those recreating on public lands.
"We are experiencing a lack of moisture and unseasonably hot and dry conditions which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future," said WR/BBD Assistant Fire Management Officer Ryan Sundberg. "Please be fire safe while recreating this summer."
Several large fires are currently burning in the Rocky Mountain area, some of which were human-caused. Sundberg cautions that wherever you are camping and recreating this summer, there will be plenty of cured vegetation that can easily burn. "Ensure your campfire is completely out before turning in for the night," he added.
In addition, be aware of the potential for a fire to spark when driving or riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) through tall grass. OHVs must be equipped with Society of Automotive Engineers approved spark arresters. The public is also reminded that the use of fireworks is illegal on public lands.
Please report all wildfires immediately to the Cody Interagency Dispatch Center at 1-800-295-9954 or to 911. For more information about fire conditions, contact Sundberg at 307-347-4790.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Wind River/Bighorn Basin District 101 South 23rd Worland, WY 82401