Wyoming’s Zero-Tolerance Wildfire Policy Leaves No Room For ‘Let It Burn'

Wildfire is recognized to have a cleansing and renewing role in nature, but allowing it take its natural course is considered too risky in Wyoming.

Most state and federal agencies in charge of public lands have a standing policy to go after every blaze with everything they’ve got, as soon as possible. 

“The State of Wyoming, we do not have a let burn policy, we have a put-out policy, immediately,” Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris said during a recent interview with Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake Nichols. 

“The Bureau of Land Management has that same policy, obviously private lands have that same policy,” she added. 

In remote areas of vast National Forest land in Wyoming, the U.S. Forest Service has a more leeway to allow natural fires to burn. 

However, that can have dire consequences if a fire escapes a wilderness area, as did the massive Pack Trail Fire in northwest Wyoming in October 2024, Norris noted. 

After DEI Fight With Legislature, University Of Wyoming Launches Image Makeover

Sunday, February 16, 2025

The University of Wyoming is trying to improve its public image. 

The school has come under fire from the Wyoming Legislature over the past year for issues like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs on campus. Now, the school is launching a “Wyoming First” agenda for teacher education and putting more effort into actively promoting its Wyoming-focused programs.

UW President Ed Seidel told Cowboy State Daily the school’s top priority is trying to figure out how it can help advance the state.

“We are really trying to make a statement to the state that we’re here for the state,” Seidel said. “It’s very important to us that people understand that we’re here for the whole state, no matter where you’re from, and that means every student, every town, every organization across the state.”

Last year, the Legislature cut funding for the school’s DEI office. In response, the UW Board of Trustees cut the office while still retaining some of its services.