Board approves 2025 District 4 Wildland Fire Annual Operating Plan; adds county helicopter availability at $4,000/hour

Teton County commissioners unanimously approved the 2025 District 4 Wildland Fire Annual Operating Plan on May 6, including an addition that makes the county’s search‑and‑rescue helicopter available to initial wildfire response and documents a $4,000 per hour reimbursable rate.

Mike Moyer, the county fire chief, described the document as the annual District 4 addendum that forms a framework for coordinating wildfire response among county, state and federal partners. He said the plan supplements a larger parent wildland plan that is reviewed less frequently and that the District 4 addendum is an annual affirmation of local roles and responsibilities.

Senior Deputy County Attorney Kingery told the board the new language adds the county’s search‑and‑rescue helicopter to the response resources (a platform the sheriff’s office has equipped with a bucket for water drops) and noted the plan lists the county’s reimbursable charge of $4,000 per hour.

Commissioners asked about partner capacity, particularly the Bridger‑Teton National Forest’s staffing during a busy fire season. Moyer and staff said the forest service has a standard initial staffing posture and can request additional resources nationally as fire activity dictates; however, if there is a severe season and extensive national mobilization, second‑tier resources may be stretched more thinly.

The motion to approve the District 4 addendum was moved by Commissioner Carleman and seconded by Commissioner Karlman; the board voted 5–0 in favor.

Ending: No public comment was recorded on the item; the plan is now part of the county’s annual framework for wildfire coordination and will be implemented as partners are available and as incident needs dictate.