Hazardous fuels reduction to continue in Star Valley

A multi-year project to treat hazardous fuels on both private and public land around Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming will continue this summer.

Contractors will be thinning and piling slash on an additional 75 acres of National Forest System land along the southern half of the town in July.

“The project was implemented to provide greater defensible space and to lower the wildfire risk to homes and private property bordering the Bridger-Teton,” said Greys River District Ranger Justin Laycock. “Fuel reduction projects create more open areas that will help moderate fire behavior during a wildfire which increases firefighter and public safety,” he said.

Greys River Ranger District and the town of Star Valley Ranch won a $180,000 grant through the Wyoming State Forestry Division in 2014. Private landowners removed hazardous fuels on private lands in 2015 and 2016. 100 acres of Bridger-Teton National Forest land east of the town was cleared in 2015 and 2016.

The forest burned 3,000 slash piles over 98 acres this spring. Weather permitting, the forest anticipates burning the final 2 acres this fall.