Reminder: Fireworks are illegal in the National Forest
information released by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Beginning July 1, campfire restrictions go into effect on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Campfires will be allowed only in designated developed campgrounds and congressionally designated Wilderness Areas. In all other areas, including dispersed camping areas, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including a fire made from briquettes, will be prohibited. These restrictions are the result of increasing fire danger in the national forest.
In addition to campfire restrictions, smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, building, designated campground, or while standing in an area three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Also, parking or driving a vehicle off National Forest roads and trails, through grass and brush, is prohibited unless it is to access a dispersed campsite. “Many fires have started from hot mufflers and catalytic converters igniting dry grass or brush, so we urge forest users to drive only on pavement or areas of bare soil when recreating in the forest,” said Acting Forest Fire Management Officer Kyle Cannon.
“With the current heatwave drying out forest fuels, fire response resources already heavily engaged nationally, and the increased fire danger across the western U.S., it is prudent to put these campfire and other restrictions into effect now,” Cannon said. “This first phase of restrictions will help to reduce the potential of escaped campfires and fire starts by restricting campfires and stove fire use, cigarette use, and limiting vehicle travel to bare mineral soil across the forest.”
People may continue to use pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, or heating devices, provided such devices are used in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material within 3 feet of the device and meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety.
As the Fourth of July approaches, forest visitors are reminded that fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices, including exploding targets, are illegal year-round in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. “We want people to enjoy this great national holiday and to do so in a manner that best ensures their safety and that of our natural resources, but fireworks pose a substantial wildfire risk and should be left at home,” Cannon said. “Any spark, whether it be from a dragging tow chain, a cigarette, a hot vehicle muffler, an exploding target, or a firework has the potential to cause a wildfire right now.”
Most designated or developed campgrounds are exempt from this order, as are some other special sites such as group camps and summer homes under permit. Please visit or call the appropriate ranger station to obtain information on specific campground restrictions. Information is also available on the forest website.
Campfires will be allowed within most parts of the Glacier Peak, Chelan-Sawtooth, Alpine Lakes, Henry M. Jackson, Goat Rocks, Norse Peak, and William O. Douglas Wilderness Areas. However, some locations within those listed Wilderness Areas, especially the Alpine Lakes and Henry M. Jackson Wildernesses, have standing year-round campfire restrictions. Please contact the appropriate ranger station for specific fire regulations pertaining to Wilderness Areas.
If planning to have a campfire:
• Make sure campfires are allowed in the area camping will occur. Check the forest website for information on where campfires are permitted while restrictions are in effect.
• In developed campgrounds, use an existing fire ring. In wilderness areas where campfires are still allowed, construct a fire ring out of rocks or use a camp stove instead.
• Clear all vegetation away from the ring and don’t build a campfire underneath low hanging tree branches.
• Keep water and a shovel nearby.
When extinguishing a campfire:
• Drown it with water.
• Stir the embers to ensure everything is wet.
• Repeat use of water and stirring until no heat is present.
• Feel the coals and embers, they should be cool to the touch. If it‘s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!
When done, take an extra minute and add more water. Go here for additional campfire safety tips.
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest fire managers remind recreationists to be extremely careful with any use of fire in the outdoors this summer. Escaped campfires are the leading cause of human-caused wildland fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF. Campfires typically become problems when campers fail to completely extinguish them before leaving campsites.
Contact these Okanogan-Wenatchee NF offices for more information–Methow Valley Ranger District 509-996-4000; Chelan Ranger Station, 509-682-4900; Entiat Ranger Station, 509-784-4700; Wenatchee River Ranger Station, 509-548-2550; Cle Elum Ranger Station 509-852-1100; and Naches Ranger Station, 509-653-1401. Although offices are closed, information receptionists are taking calls and returning calls to messages during regular office hours, Monday-Friday.
