Hotshots respond to Shell Canyon fire

On Sunday May 31, the Wyoming Hotshots responded to a wildfire from an abandoned campfire that had escaped in Shell Canyon near the Post Creek picnic area, according to a Bighorn National Forest Press release. 

The fire burned approximately 1/10 of an acre. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Forest Service at 307-674-2600. 

Over 50% of wildfires on the Bighorn National Forest are human caused. Abandoned campfires are a major factor in determining if fire restrictions are needed to prevent wildfires. Please remember to put your campfire completely out.

To extinguish a fire, add water and dirt, and stir until it’s cool enough to touch before leaving. 

The National Forest Service has some recommendations to keep the forest safe and campers warm.

Keep fires small and bring firewood purchased in the local area. Firewood brought from another area could also bring invasive pests such as the emerald ash borers or Asian gypsy moth.  

If you have to collect firewood at your campsite, collect dead and down wood only.

Check your local ranger station for current fire restrictions, which can change on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.

Use existing fire rings. Scrape away litter and any other burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter surrounding the ring.

Have a shovel, axe, and bucket of water available before lighting your campfire.

Make sure all wood fits inside the fire ring. Do not feed a large log into the fire ring.

Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a few minutes or even if there are no flames present. Many wildfires start because of abandoned fires or because someone thought a fire was out.

Learn the proper way to start, maintain and put out a fire by slowly pouring water onto the fire and stir with a shovel. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool to touch.

Do not bury your fire. The coals can smolder and re-ignite.