Fire
Wildland fire is inevitable in North American ecosystems. Most wildland fire must be suppressed or managed to meet resource and social objectives. Wise use of prescribed fire approximates the historical role of fire and enhances long-term wildland values. Effectively managing fuels and dealing with wildfires requires coordination between the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, other agencies, and communities.
To report a wildland fire, please call the interagency dispatch centers below:
- Routt National Forest: Northern Colorado Dispatch, (970) 295-6800
- Medicine Bow National Forest, Thunder Basin National Grassland: Casper Dispatch, (800) 295-9952
To view national fire activity, visit Inciweb.
*Many areas across the MBRTB remain in drought of varying levels of intensity.*
MBRTB Fire and Fuels
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland encompasses nearly three million acres from the north and eastern borders of Wyoming, south almost to the Colorado River that traverses north central Colorado. This area is divided in three fire zones: North Zone Fire, Central Zone Fire, and South Zone Fire.
Employment
The Forest Service hires permanent and seasonal firefighters. Seasonal job hiring is usually done by March. Visit USAJobs and look for job series 0462, which includes most fire-related jobs across all federal agencies. Following local forest social media accounts is also a great tool for staying in the know.
Burned Area Emergency Response
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams work to assess post-fire hazards within and downstream of areas burned in wildland fires. The assessments and stabilization treatments focus on protecting human life and safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources.