Grand Teton National Park Plans 196-Acre Prescribed Fire Near Mormon Row
Grand Teton National Park officials have announced a 196-acre prescribed fire near Mormon Row, with ignition possible as early as April 9th, pending favorable conditions.
The burn area sits east of Blacktail Butte and south of Mormon Row, between Gros Ventre and Antelope Flats roads. Vegetation in the treatment zone is dominated by invasive grasses and noxious weeds.
The project is part of the larger 4,000-acre Hayfields Restoration Management Area, a long-term effort to return fallow hayfields to native vegetation. Park officials say the removal of non-native plants will benefit wildlife including bison, elk, pronghorn, sage grouse, and songbirds. The burn will also reduce fuel loads near historic park structures.
Fire managers and vegetation ecologists will use the prescribed burn to prepare the ground for future herbicide treatments, supporting a gradual transition back to native rangeland species. The work is tied to a broader site improvement project for the Mormon Row Historic District.
The operation is expected to take one day. No area closures are planned, though park staff may briefly pause traffic to allow firefighters to work safely along roadways. Prescribed fire signage will be posted on adjacent roads before and during the burn.
Smoke will be most visible during the warmest part of the day and may settle into low-lying areas after dark. Visitors can monitor air quality at fire.airnow.gov.
Weather, air quality, and safety conditions will be continuously evaluated. For updates, visit tetonfires.com.
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