Local News

Campfires Prohibited Across Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Jul 08, 2015

Effective July 9, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or briquette fire will be prohibited across the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest including all campgrounds and designated wilderness areas.

These restrictions prohibit wood and charcoal briquette fires; however, the use of pressurized liquid gas stoves is allowed.

Initial campfire restrictions on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest were implemented June 12. As assessments of fire and fuel conditions have indicated an increase in fire danger, restrictions have been expanded over time to the current complete ban on campfires.

“Fuel conditions are approaching extreme values and there are a number of large fires in the region,” said Deputy Fire Staff for Operations Matt Castle. “We want to minimize the chance of new fire starts in order to keep the public safe. This also puts us in line with other jurisdictions in the area that have already banned campfires.”

Please contact ranger district offices for more information, and please observe all burning and campfire restrictions.

What to do if you smell smoke or see a fire:

If a fire is burning or there is smoke present, call 9-1-1 or 1-800-826-3383 (Central Washington Interagency Coordination Center)
Report the exact location of the fire and, if known, what is burning.

Connect with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on Twitter (@OkaWenNF) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/OkaWenNF).