Fourth of July Weekend on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Release Date: Jun 29, 2016
As we approach July 4th weekend, Gifford Pinchot National Forest officials are asking for the public’s help in keeping our public lands safe. Leave fireworks and exploding targets at home, and be sure to properly extinguish all camp fires.
Remember: possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device on public lands is prohibited year-round, regardless of weather conditions or holidays.
Visitors to national forests should always use caution to prevent human-caused wildfires. To reduce the risk, please consider the following:
- Fireworks are never allowed federal public lands. Even smaller, more innocent devices like sparklers can start fires.
- Before going camping, check for any fire restrictions in place and never leave a campfire unattended. Build campfires in cleared, open areas and keep water and a shovel nearby. Make sure campfires are out and cool to the touch before leaving the area.
- When smoking, always dispose of cigarette debris in some type of ashtray.
- Avoid driving and parking in tall grass or on roads with heavy fine fuels accumulations. Exhaust particles, hot exhaust pipes, and hot catalytic converters can start fires.
- Maintain proper tire pressure. Driving on exposed wheel rims can throw sparks.
- Sparks from dragging chains and exhaust from ATV’s and motorcycles can start fires. Spark arresters are required on all recreational and portable gasoline-powered equipment.
Our national forests are precious resources we all use and enjoy. This Fourth of July holiday, let the night skies be your show.
For further information, please visit or call your local Gifford Pinchot National Forest office:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot
Ranger District Contact Information:
Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, Randle, WA: (360) 497-1100
Mount Adams Ranger District, Trout Lake, WA: (509) 395-3400
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Amboy, WA: (360) 449-7800
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