Based out of the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp, a minimum security facility north of Newcastle, the Wyoming Forestry Conservation Program (FCP)—also known as Wyoming Smokebusters—is a partnership between the Wyoming State Forestry Division and the Wyoming Department of Corrections that trains minimum-security, pre-release inmates as wildland firefighters and forestry technicians.
While the majority of FCP crew time is spent performing forestry management activities on state lands, they’re also available year-round as a wildland fire resource, known as the Wyoming Smokebusters.
In total, the crew consists of:
- Program manager
- Two module leaders
- Four crew supervisors
- Up to 30 pre-release, minimum security inmates
Each supervisor directly supervises up to ten inmates assigned to the program, who work year-round to complete project work assigned.
What does the Wyoming Smokebusters Program crew do?
Assists on federal, state, and county fires as Wyoming Smokebusters
The FCP trains inmate crewmembers to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards as Basic Wildland Firefighters (FFT2) and Basic Fallers (FAL3).
When fully staffed, the Smokebusters are a type 2 Handcrew, available to assist on Federal, State, and County fires throughout Wyoming (including prescribed / controlled burns) for:
- Initial attack
- Extended attack
- Mop-up
Forestry Management Activities on state lands
- Forest health projects
- Hazardous fuels reduction
- Pre/post-commercial thinning
- Salvaging cut wood
- Seed collection
- Slash burning
- Timber stand improvement
- Tree planting
- Wildlife habitat improvement
Request a conservation crew for a Community Assistance Project
Local, state, and federal government agencies can apply for assistance from the FCP, as long as the work does not compete with private enterprises.
Projects must be of significant public benefit, within our Division’s mission to “conserve, enhance, protect,” and have an emphasis on natural resources, such as:
- Building and placing sandbags during floods
- Large natural resource-based work
- Living snow fence planting
- Wildlife habitat improvements for conservation districts
To schedule a crew, complete the project application and return via email, or mail to:
WSFD Forestry Conservation Program
40 Pippin Rd.
Newcastle, Wyoming 82701
For questions about or assistance with the application, please call (307) 941-1984.