Fire season is here and several active fires have been reported in the northwest Wyoming area.

A fire was reported in the Corral Creek area south of Crandall Wednesday evening, according to officials with the Shoshone National Forest. Forest Service crews and a Park County Volunteer Fire Department engine responded to the area and found a lightning-caused fire. 

The two crews hiked into the quarter-acre fire and built a line around the fire Wednesday night. It was found to have been caused by a lightning strike to a single tree, they reported. Thursday, crews removed the remaining embers from within the fire perimeter.

Fire danger levels have increased across the Shoshone National Forest this week. On the southern end of the Forest, fire danger was elevated to “high” as grasses have started to cure. The fire danger on the northern end of the forest has increased to “moderate” as the moisture content in vegetation has started to decrease. Moderate fire danger means fires can start accidentally, including from unattended campfires and brush fires that have the potential to escape, especially on windy days in dry, open areas.

“As fire managers, we look at several factors to determine the appropriate fire danger level,” said Shoshone National Forest Fire Management Officer Brian Cresto. “We evaluate the moisture content of grasses, shrubs, and trees as well as dead and downed vegetation. Additionally, we review projected weather conditions, such as temperatures and relative humidities, to establish appropriate fire danger levels throughout the year.” 

Three wildland fires were burning near Jackson, the largest being a 64-acre blaze dubbed the “Sandy Fire.” The fire grew about four times larger by Friday, burning about 15-acres from the time it started to Thursday.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest ordered support from a Type 3 helicopter, two engine crews, and firefighters from Pinedale, Kemmerer and Jackson Ranger Districts. A Type 2 handcrew, which consists of a team of 20 highly trained wildland fire crews, was ordered by Wednesday last week.

Yellowstone National Park increased their parkwide fire danger level to moderate last week. 

There were no active wildland fires in the park as of the Friday deadline and there were no fire restrictions in place or planned in the park at the time, according to the Superintendent’s Public Affairs office.

Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites in the park and campfires must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning. “Soak, stir, feel, repeat,” a park official advised.