In July, FBT launched a new radio station with tips on how to recreate responsibly on the BTNF, and it’s getting a boost from Indiana Jones.
Turn the AM dial to 1710 and the voice of Han Solo fills the airwaves.
“This is Harrison Ford. Hot dry summers mean a campfire can rapidly spread becoming a wildfire,” says Ford, an avid conservationist who has property in the region.
He recorded messaging for the national forest about outdoor safety that’s front and center on the new station.
Ford continues, “Did you know you could be held responsible for a hefty fire and suppression costs? Drown your campfire before you leave.”
The forest information station is the brainchild of Bridger-Teton’s Lesley Gomez-Williams, who saw that these stations are run by national forests and parks across the country, including nearby Yellowstone National Park.
As a BTNF fire prevention specialist, Gomez-Williams wanted a way to communicate fire risk to people coming from different parts of the U.S.
“Having a consistent message in fire prevention throughout our forest and even our region is extremely important,” Gomez-Williams says, referencing the “pour, stir, and drown” method of putting out campfires.
The station doesn’t just communicate fire information, though, but also addresses many aspects of recreating responsibly on the BTNF, which is the fifth largest national forest in the U.S. These messages change with the seasons and often include messages from the many partners FBT works with. For the winter, the Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance and Friends of Pathways recorded PSAs about respecting other trail users and where people can find information on trails. Professional skier and mountain athlete Madison Ostergren recorded PSAs about geotagging and the “Leave No Trace” ethos. BTNF biologist Ashley Egan recorded messages about winter wildlife closures and bear safety.
“So this is just going to be a great tool for helping the public understand responsible recreation and also keep them safe and their fellow campers safe as well,” Gomez-Williams says.
The station launch came after Teton County saw record-breaking visitation numbers as people flocked to the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scott Kosiba, FBT’s Executive Director, says the increased visitation highlighted the need for a central place for information, just like national parks have. “[In national parks], you’re crossing a threshold, you’re making eye contact with a park ranger and you’re getting that information directly from a human. On the national forest public lands—whether it’s the Bridger-Teton, the Caribou-Targhee, anywhere else—you don’t have that direct access to information.”
This story is adapted from a story on KHOL, 89.1, Jackson Hole’s community radio station.
