Tucked away in the wooded hills with stunning mountain views, Burcher Road —west of Fall Creek Road in Wilson, Wyoming— offers tranquility but also faces a significant wildfire risk due to its steep slopes, dense vegetation, and limited access routes.
For the residents of Burcher Road, preparing for a wildfire isn’t a matter of “if” but “when.”
The neighborhood’s journey toward wildfire resilience accelerated in 2018, when Teton Conservation District (TCD) stepped in to provide free Wildfire Risk Overviews. Robb Sgroi, TCD’s Land Resources Specialist, guided homeowners on crucial steps like installing rated fire-resistive roofing materials, clearing vegetation near their home, and relocating firewood and combustible materials away from their homes.
These guidelines are all pieces of maintaining a “home ignition zone”—a 100- to 200-foot area surrounding a home— which reduces the risk of losing structures to wildfires, protects homes nearby, and helps create safer conditions for firefighters.
Maintaining the “home ignition zone.” Click the image to enlarge. (Source: Page 37, Mountain Neighbor Handbook.)
Knowing that individual efforts alone weren’t enough, Ben Henkes and Bob Weiss mobilized their neighbors. Without a homeowners' association (HOA) to enforce maintenance, they rallied neighbors to address the overgrown road corridors, together. By 2021, they had cleared vegetation along a major road section, making it easier for residents to evacuate and emergency vehicles to get in and out.
Building on this progress, TCD developed a detailed Neighborhood Road Corridor Management Plan in 2023. The plan focused on removing standing dead trees and ground fuels within 20 feet of the road edge—a substantial job requiring hundreds of hours of skilled labor.
Enter Team Rubicon: This veteran-led humanitarian group, known for its disaster response efforts, brought in over 20 volunteers, both veterans and civilians, from as far away as Denver. Equipped with high-quality chainsaws and pole saws, the team tackled the project over three days in June 2024. They cleared trees, built firewood stacks, and removed lower limbs and shrubs.
Their professionalism and camaraderie were evident, from early morning starts to enduring afternoon heat. And their hard work showed in the project’s success; the main road corridor was significantly improved.
In the images above, flagged trees were removed, conifer lower limbs were trimmed, and ground vegetation was cleared. This opens up the road corridor, making it more accessible for residents and emergency responders.
In this section of road, standing dead trees and ladder fuels were cleared. This reduces the opportunity for ground fires to spread upwards and reach the canopy.
The collaborative efforts of Burcher Road’s residents, TCD’s expertise, and Team Rubicon’s support showcase the power of community action. Devastation of homes and communities and even loss of life are realities of large-scale wildfires, especially in high-risk locations. Proactive initiatives are crucial for enhancing wildfire preparedness and reducing negative consequences from wildfire in our community.
If you're looking to create a safer, more resilient property or neighborhood, reach out to Robb Sgroi: Land Resources Specialist at robb@tetonconservation.org, or call Teton Conservation District at (307) 733-2110.