Cheyenne Wyo.-- As the months warm up, the season also gets increasingly dry.Â
We spoke with the USDA Wyoming State Forestry Division about what we can expect from this fire season.Â
With federal cuts on the horizon and fire season right on our doorsteps, we talked to the state forestry department to find out what we can expect during this fire season.Â
"Have a plan for wildfire because wildfire can wreak your plans," says Jerod DeLay, Assistant State Forester, Wyoming State Forestry Division.Â
 As we approach the warmer month, officials gear up for fire season, but going into 2025, they say we are facing a severe drought across the state, especially on the eastern side. Â
"We're looking to be probably a higher probability of warmer than normal and actually drier than normal," says Delay.Â
 "Not to say that we could have a repeat of last year, but you know we could probably see an active fire season again. Â
This, while state officials wait and see if the axe will drop on federal funding and positions.Â
They remain optimistic despite the state supplementary budget for emergency services stalling in the Senate this legislative session.
"We're a small group in Wyoming, and it doesn't really matter the color on a map; everybody kind of shows up between the federal, the state and our county and fire districts,' says DeLay. Â
They may not have as many staff and resources...Â
"Some hard decisions have to be made about who do you send to fires and who do you hold back to send to the next fire, says DeLay. Â
But lawmakers moved emergency funds to other bills, and luckily, they got two additional single-engine tankers and a helicopter. Â
Delay also says state-to-state and compact agreements have been a safety net in sharing resources. Â
Experts are saying that we're seeing increasingly dry conditions, and they are hoping that we do not get a repeat of last year's fire season.Â
Officials say to be mindful when you're out this summer and to make sure you are doing all you can to prevent forest fires.Â
