GILLETTE, Wyo. — Federal wildland fire managers have raised the national preparedness level to its highest level, advising outdoor-goers of unusual fire weather conditions and scarce firefighting resources, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
As of Oct. 10, the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group has raised the national preparedness level to 5, which is the highest preparedness level, per the BLM, which says firefighting resources are extremely scarce ahead of an unusual weather pattern forecast for the near future.
According to the BLM, temperatures will likely average 10–20 degrees above normal with very low relative humidity across the west for the next two weeks.
With the fire weather forecast, the BLM is reminding outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious while hunting and recreating this fall.
“Preventable wildfires threaten lives, property and precious resources every year,” the BLM says. “Because of these volatile conditions, we ask you [to do] your part to prevent wildfires while recreating on public lands.”
Per the BLM, much of Wyoming remains under fire restrictions and outdoor-goers should remain aware of local public safety area closures, take precautions before venturing out and be careful with anything that could start a fire.
Federal land managers offer the following tips while enjoying public lands:
- While camping, never leave your campfire unattended. Ensure your campfire is dead out before leaving or turning in for the night. If a campfire is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
- If towing a boat or a trailer, ensure the safety chains are properly secure and not dragging on the ground.
- Avoid parking vehicles over dead grass and don’t drive through tall grass. Vehicles can ignite fuels and start a fire.
- When target shooting, take all the proper precaution measures to be fire-safe. Select an area that is free of flammable materials and bring a fire extinguisher or water to extinguish any flames. Tracer ammunition and exploding targets are prohibited on all public lands in Wyoming per the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions.
