State forester: Wyoming in a ‘significantly stronger position’ to fight fires this year

JACKSON — Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris told lawmakers last Tuesday that the state is entering the 2026 fire season in a “significantly stronger position than one year ago.”

Norris gave a fire update to the Wyoming Legislature’s Appropriation Committee and applauded lawmakers’ millions of dollars in investments in aviation, wildfire capacity, forest health and firefighter support during the most recent legislative session. 

Although the Wyoming State Forestry Division is still concerned about the drought conditions and increasing fire potential for this summer, she said the department is better prepared to respond than at any point in recent years.

“The objective of these investments is pretty straightforward,” she said. “We’re going to detect fires early, respond aggressively, keep fires small and reduce the likelihood of costly, large wildfire incidents.”

During the 2026 session, the Wyoming Legislature passed House Bill 36 and approved $5.1 million and 24 positions, including four fire managers and suppression model leaders and 20 employees.