Wyoming Game and Fish Implements Fire Ban on Commission Lands in Teton, Lincoln, and Sublette Counties

As drought conditions continue to intensify across western Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has enacted an immediate open fire ban on all Game and Fish Commission-owned and administered lands in Teton, Lincoln, and Sublette counties.

The restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during a period of extreme fire danger and help protect critical wildlife habitat throughout the region.

Fire Ban Covers Wildlife Habitat and Public Access Areas

The fire ban applies to all Commission-managed properties in the three counties, including:

• 18 Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs)
• 43 Public Access Areas (PAAs)

Game and Fish is urging hunters, anglers, campers, and other outdoor recreationists to check current fire restrictions before heading out, as rules may vary depending on the land management agency and location.

What’s Prohibited?

Under the fire ban, the following activities are prohibited on Game and Fish lands:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using any campfire or open fire.
• Using charcoal grills, coal-burning stoves, or wood-burning stoves.
• Smoking, except:
  • Inside an enclosed vehicle or building.
  • At a developed recreation site.
  • While stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Lighting fireworks, which are always prohibited on Wyoming Game and Fish Commission-owned lands.

Activities Still Allowed

Some activities may continue with appropriate safety precautions.

Gas Grills

Gas grills are still permitted but must be accompanied by adequate fire suppression equipment capable of extinguishing a fire immediately if one starts.

Welding and Cutting Torches

Welding, cutting torches, and similar activities may only be performed in areas that have been cleared of all flammable materials within a 10-foot radius and must have proper fire suppression equipment readily available.

Motorized Vehicles

All internal and external combustion engines—including ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, and other off-highway vehicles—must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor to reduce the risk of igniting dry vegetation.

Protecting Critical Wildlife Habitat

Many Game and Fish Commission properties serve as essential winter range for deer, elk, pronghorn, and other wildlife. Vegetation on these lands provides critical forage that animals rely on to survive Wyoming’s harsh winters.

A wildfire during the summer can destroy these valuable habitats, reducing food availability for wildlife for months—or even years—and impacting animal populations well beyond the current fire season.

By preventing human-caused fires now, recreationists can help protect the landscapes that sustain Wyoming’s wildlife throughout the year.

Before You Head Outdoors

Fire restrictions may differ depending on whether you’re visiting Game and Fish lands, National Forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, or other public properties.

Before your trip, check current fire restrictions with the appropriate land management agency and your destination county. Staying informed can help prevent accidental wildfires and ensure you’re complying with local regulations.

With much of Wyoming experiencing severe drought, officials are encouraging everyone to recreate responsibly, remain vigilant, and do their part to protect the state’s public lands and wildlife habitats during this high-risk fire season.

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