JC Commission Chair Urges Public to Keep Wildfire Prevention a Priority

It will take years for residents and ranchers to recover from the House Draw Fire that burned nearly 175,000 acres across Johnson and Campbell Counties in 2024.  

As drought grips the area, Johnson County Commission Chair Bill Novotny is urging the public to keep wildfire prevention on their minds as families and recreationalists begin to head out for weekend adventures. 

Ignited by lightning and fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, the House Draw Fire quickly spread. By the time it was contained the estimated economic cost of the fire was approximately $25 million dollars. 

Crazy Woman Canyon was closed for the spring and summer months of 2025 as the US Forest Service and Johnson County replaced two bridges on Forest System Rd. 33. Those projects were completed and the canyon opened for travel in September of 2025. The canyon is expected to receive a high number of returning and new visitors this year.

As one of Johnson County’s most sought after recreation locations, Crazy Woman Canyon is currently open for travel and the Johnson County Commission Chair is inviting everyone to take a drive and enjoy the scenery but asks those heading out to keep wildfire prevention a priority. 

B. Novotny

Although the House Draw Fire was ignited by an act of nature, the majority of wildfires, an estimated 85%, are started by human action according to the National Parks Service. 

The US Department of Interior has wildfire prevention tips listed here to ensure everyone can enjoy the beauty of Crazy Woman Canyon and the Bighorn Mountains while working together to preserve these unique locations for generations to come.