Local News

No Fireworks on National Forest

Jun 25, 2015

The 4th of July holiday is always a favorite for those who like to visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Ranger district personnel expect to be busy with the usual influx of recreationists, and popular campgrounds will likely be full by Thursday. Historically, this holiday also commands the attention of national forest fire management officials.

"The use of fireworks on National Forest lands is a major concern to us," said Fire Staff Officer Keith Satterfield. “Fireworks of any kind are illegal on all National Forest lands.”

“All areas of the forest are very dry and we are concerned about the use of fireworks on lands adjacent to the National Forest,” Satterfield said. “This year we are especially concerned due to the dry spring and lack of snowpack. We have late July dry forest conditions occurring right now in late June, a full month early. Due to the above normal fire danger and the upcoming 4^th of July holiday, additional firefighting resources will be standing by in case a wildfire starts.”

During the long holiday weekend, ranger district personnel across the forest will be on the lookout for the illegal possession or use of fireworks in the forest. "Our employees have been instructed to confiscate any fireworks they discover," Satterfield said.

There are monetary penalties for those in possession of fireworks on the National Forest. Law breakers can be subject to a citation and a fine up to $500 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both. If a wildfire results from an individual's use of fireworks, that person can be found liable for the cost of suppressing the fire. Suppression efforts are very costly, often running into hundreds of thousands of dollars and more.

Satterfield stressed that all forest visitors need to comply with current campfire restrictions and be especially careful with fires in those areas where they are still allowed.