Regional News

Campfire Restrictions Expanded

Jun 24, 2015

Continued hot, dry weather and the increasing fire hazard has prompted the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to expand campfire restrictions across the forest.

Effective June 26, 2015, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or briquette fire is prohibited, except at most designated campgrounds, approved sites and in certain Wilderness areas of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest located within Okanogan, Chelan, and Kittitas Counties. In Yakima County, campfires are banned in all areas of the Naches Ranger District except in the Goat Rocks, Norse Peak and William O. Douglas Wilderness areas.

These restrictions prohibit wood and charcoal briquette fires; however, the use of pressurized liquid gas stoves is an acceptable alternative in areas where campfires are prohibited.

Campfires are still being allowed in most Wilderness areas because those lands are generally at higher elevations where temperatures are more moderate and moisture retention is greater.

Campfires are not allowed in all portions of wilderness areas though. In the Glacier Peak and Sawtooth Wilderness areas no campfires are allowed within a half mile of the lakeshore of Lake Chelan. In the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, campfires are not permitted above 5,000 feet elevation or within a half mile of most lakes. In the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, campfires are not allowed within a quarter mile of Lake Sally Ann, Minotaur Lake, Theseus Lake, Heather Lake, Glasses Lake and Lake Valhalla.

“This year we are especially concerned due to the unseasonably dry conditions and no snowpack. Right now we are experiencing conditions that normally occur in late July,” said Fire Staff Officer Keith Satterfield. “We very much appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation as added restrictions have become necessary to reduce the threat of wildfires.”

Please contact ranger district offices for more information, and please observe all burning and campfire restrictions, especially as the 4^th of July holiday approaches.

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.