Candy Moulton: We checked an item from the bucket…

In July, Steve and I hitched our old camper to the pickup and went on an adventure with our granddaughters. During a ten-day trip, we visited friends in Cody and southern Montana, saw family in Jackson Hole, and mostly stayed away from the crowds.

Our zigzag journey took us to a spot that had long been on our personal bucket list of places to visit in Wyoming: Union Pass.

We camped at the south fork of Fish Creek and had a chance to explore some of the area. It’s such a large open country that it would take a lot more time than we needed to really see everything, that’s for sure. We had perfect weather with blue skies, scattered clouds, warm days and cool nights, the likes of which you only find in the Rocky Mountains.

It was early July when we made the trip so the area was green with plenty of grass for wildlife and livestock. When news of the Fish Creek Fire broke in mid-August, we knew immediately that much of that beautiful area where we spent time this summer would be changed for decades. Thinking back now, I wish it had rained during our trip.

This month, the Fish Creek Fire and other fires in the region merged into the Pack Trail Fire. These fires have now consumed almost 90,000 hectares and are not yet fully contained.

They have burned for months now, closing the highway over Togwotee Pass and threatening places like Brooks Lake Lodge and Teton County guest ranches. Even with the snow this past week, there are still risks.

While much of that area is sparsely populated, it is certainly used by people like us who enjoy enjoying the great outdoors of Wyoming. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail runs through the area, ranchers raise animals on the mountain, and hunters and recreationists love the open country.

After years of talking and intending to drive over Union Pass, from Dubois to Pinedale, we finally did it this summer, and let me just say that the descent into the Green River valley is quite a steep, rough road. But I’m grateful that we were able to see the country before the fires and tick that drive off our bucket list just in time.

Those who know Union Pass country better than I do are no doubt relieved by the snow and some control of the fires there – although they are not out yet.

This summer’s fire season wasn’t limited to the mountain country of western Wyoming. For people living in northeastern Wyoming — from the Bighorns to Devils Tower and south to Casper, Glenrock, Douglas, Lusk and Guernsey — this fire year has broken all kinds of records.

Names like Elk, House Draw, Remington, La Bonte, Pleasant Valley and Clearwater have become household names, especially for people living in the smoke and within sight of flames, or facing the reality of destroyed homes, buildings, pasture and loss of livestock and wild animals. Ranchers have fought alongside volunteer firefighters and those who do firefighting, such as tribal smokejumpers and Forest Service, or BLM, crews.

I’m sure I speak for many when I say that the snow that fell this past week is the answer to prayers and provides hope that the 2024 fire season will soon be behind us for everyone in Wyoming.

Southern Wyoming hasn’t had any major fires this year – and I hope I didn’t just curse the area by saying that. Yet it is dry there and all our countries need more rain and snow. Our firefighters and those living near the fires need a break. Hey, Don Day, can you call Mother Nature and turn the humidity tap back on?