Wind River/Bighorn Basin District
| Contacts: | Sarah Beckwith | |||
| 307-347-5207 |
BLM Wind River/Bighorn Basin District Reminds Public Land Users of Fire Restrictions
As temperatures begin to cool and hunters take to the outdoors, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wind River/Bighorn Basin District (WR/BBD) reminds public land users of fire restrictions still in place on public lands.
Fire restrictions were implemented in July due to dry conditions and high fire danger. Although daytime temperatures are cooling, range conditions are still extremely dry and the risk of large wildfires remains high. Until significant weather changes occur, like widespread rain or snowfall, fire restrictions will remain in place.
“Since restrictions were implemented, there have been very few human-caused fires,” said Assistant Fire Management Officer Ryan Sundberg. “The BLM is grateful for the public’s support and cooperation to date. Fuel moistures are still well below average and the risks are still there, so we’re asking for the public’s continued cooperation with the fire restrictions.”
The public will be notified when conditions change and fire restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, please enjoy your public lands responsibly and help us to prevent wildfires.
Fire restrictions are in place on lands managed by the WR/BBD which includes the Cody, Lander and Worland field offices. Fire restrictions on public lands differ by agency, forest and BLM field office. Refer to the following website for details and updates throughout the fall season: www.wy.blm.gov/wy_fire_restrictions/.
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