Wyoming Wildfires Affecting Park Visitation

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s state parks and recreation sites have escaped damage from wildfires for the most part this summer, but officials expect visitation to be hurt because of bans on open campfires.

Wyoming has 13 state parks and recreation sites with camping facilities. A wildfire burned in Guernsey State Park in southeast Wyoming last month and wildfires burned close to Glendo and Seminoe state parks this month.

State Parks Director Milward Simpson reported to the State Parks and Cultural Resources Commission on Tuesday that the only reported damage to park facilities occurred in Guernsey where two small foot bridges were lost.

Division Operations Chief Bill Westerfield says he expects visitation to be down this year because of fire bans and restrictions at all the state parks and recreation site campgrounds.