The Wyoming Game and Fish Department issued the following release Friday:
Clearly, the Roosevelt Fire that started on September 15, 2018, near Bondurant, was a devastating fire for many with 55 structures being lost. But as Wyoming’s state wildlife agency, we were interested in learning more about the potential impacts, positive or negative, for wildlife. Within the 61,511-acre burn perimeter, the severity in which it burned was quite variable, with some areas burning quite hot and other areas not burning at all. The above map shows the mosaic nature in which it burned throughout, which is generally a good thing for wildlife. A mosaic pattern means there will be a diversity of vegetation as it recovers which is desirable for wildlife.
Wyoming Game and Fish Pinedale Region Habitat Biologist Jill Miller and Pinedale Wildlife Supervisor John Lund visited the burn in late September and verified the variability with which it burned. In fact, some areas with wetter soils were already showing green vegetation coming back within a couple weeks of being burned and several deer and moose tracks were also noted. A great resource for fire recovery information and resources for revegetation can be found on the Sublette County Conservation District website.
