A red flag warning has been issued for nearly the entire state

JACKSON, Wyo. – The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Riverton, WY has issued a Red Flag Warning affecting Teton County and several other counties in Wyoming, meaning critical fire weather conditions are imminent.

Also affected are Fremont, Park, Lincoln and Sublette counties, as well as counties in the eastern and central parts of the state. The warning is in effect from Wednesday, October 2, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

According to the NWS, low humidity combined with unusually warm temperatures and strong, gusty winds could lead to erratic fire behavior. The warning said wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

“Burning of any kind is strongly discouraged!” NWS posted on its website Wednesday.

Anyone in areas covered by the warning should avoid starting fires if possible. If not, ensure the fire is lit in a safe area where sparks cannot spread to nearby fuels and ensure the fire is extinguished and cold before leaving. Follow tips to stay fire safe.

This weather could negatively impact the two wildfires in the Bridger-Teton National Forest: the Fish Creek Fire and the Pack Trail Fire. On Tuesday, the Forest Service determined the Fish Creek Fire was at 25,325 acres and the Pack Trail Fire was at 18,525 acres. Stay tuned for more updates.