Month: July 2025

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — There was a lot of horsin’ around going on Wednesday morning as cowboys and cowgirls from Champs Heart took to the arena at Sandy Downs for the cutest rodeo in the west. This is the third year that the Champs Heart Rodeo has kicked off the events for the War Bonnet Round-Up, Idaho’s oldest rodeo.

Champ’s heart is an equine-based ministry offering children with limited abilities, veterans of war, and their families the opportunity to feel safe while connecting with horses. 

Over seventy local kids with special needs saddled up to ride to glory in events like pole bending, get the boot, horseshoes, and rope ring toss. They even crowned royalty.

Event organizer Kaylee Wilson says seeing the impact on these kids’ lives gives you so much more meaning. “It’s amazing to see these kids have their lives changed with what we do out here, what the horses do for them… It makes your day every time it’s it’s amazing,” said Wilson.

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News Team

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — Fire managers in the Teton area have increased the fire danger to “very high” for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge, effective today, July 30. This heightened alert comes as conditions across the Teton Interagency Dispatch area are drying out rapidly, creating an environment where fires can easily ignite and spread quickly, according to a recent press release.

Teton Interagency Fire Managers are urging all visitors to these affected areas to “practice heightened fire safety at all times.” Teton Interagency Fire personnel have already extinguished 75 unattended or abandoned campfires this year alone.

“Abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and if your campfire sparks a wildfire, you can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out,” stated the recent press release.

Fire Managers are directing all visitors to the affected areas to “practice heightened fire safety at all times.”

What You Can Do to Prevent Wildfires

With the fire danger elevated, the safest course of action is to avoid building campfires altogether. Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and use layers for warmth instead of relying on a fire.

If you do choose to have a campfire in a permitted area, fire managers ask you to follow these guidelines:

Never leave a campfire unattended or abandoned.

Have a shovel and water bucket on hand.

Use several gallons of water to fully extinguish your campfire.

Drown, stir, feel, and repeat until the ashes are cold to the touch.

Break up charred logs and cover all remains with dirt.

Other considerations

Do not park on tall grass, as that grass can ignite when in contact with a hot vehicle.

If pulling a trailer, ensure your chains are clear of the groun,d as small sparks could start roadside fires.

If you come across an abandoned campfire and it is within your power, please put it out and contact Teton Interagency Dispatch to report its location.

Stay Informed

For the latest fire updates, essential safety tips, and current fire restrictions, visit TetonFires.com. To report smoke or a fire, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center directly at 307-739-3630. Your diligence can help protect our precious natural resources.

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News Release

The following is a News Release by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department:

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated an adult female grizzly bear on July 29, 2025. 

The grizzly bear was captured in association with conflict management efforts for cattle depredation on the national forest in Fremont County. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Targhee National Forest, the grizzly bear was relocated to the Calf Creek drainage approximately one-half mile south of Yellowstone National Park. 

Grizzly bears are relocated in accordance with state and federal law and regulation, and Game and Fish is required to update the public whenever a grizzly bear is relocated.

WHY RELOCATION?

Grizzly bear relocation is a management tool large carnivore biologists use to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears. Bears that are considered a threat to human safety are not relocated. In some cases, a bear may be removed from the population if it cannot be relocated successfully.

Capture is necessary when other deterrents or preventative options are exhausted or unattainable. Once the animal is captured, all circumstances are taken into account when determining if the individual should be relocated. If relocation is warranted, a site is determined by considering the age, sex, and type of conflict the bear was involved in as well as potential human activity nearby.

Grizzly bears are only relocated into the recovery zone or adjacent areas. With any relocation, Game and Fish consults with appropriate agencies to minimize the chance of future conflicts and maximize the relocated grizzly bear’s survival.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP

Game and Fish continues to stress the importance of the public’s responsibility in bear management and the importance of keeping all attractants such as food, garbage, horse feed, bird seed unavailable to bears. Reducing attractants available to bears reduces human-bear conflicts, and in some cases, relocations.

For more information on grizzly bear management and reducing the potential for conflicts, visit the Bear Wise Wyoming webpage.

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