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Campfires Banned on Forest
Release Date: Jul 17, 2014
Continuing hot, dry weather, worsening fire hazard, and scarcity of firefighting resources due to current large fires burning in the forest have prompted forest officials to expand campfire restrictions to include the entire Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. See Forest-wide Campfire Closure Order
Under the Forest-wide restriction, the use of wood and charcoal campfires is banned; however, people will still be able to use pressurized liquid gas stoves, pressurized liquid gas fires, or an enclosed solid fuel fire that utilizes a wick to distribute a flame. Wood burning camp stoves sometimes used by hunters will not be allowed.
Due to the dry condition of forests and rangelands, and land manager concerns about the strain on firefighting resources in the western United States, fire danger levels for Chelan, Kittitas, Yakima and Klickitat Counties will change to Very High.
"With large fires already burning on or near the forest, it is very important to also take steps to limit the threat of human-caused fires. Public cooperation has been excellent when campfire restrictions have been necessary in the past, and right now, that same cooperation is crucial,” said Forest Supervisor Mike Balboni.
"In addition to adhering to restrictions, folks who use the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest can help us a great deal simply by being watchful when they are in the woods," Balboni added. The public has traditionally provided an important firefighting resource by reporting suspicious smokes, and putting out any abandoned campfires encountered.
Balboni looks to the weather for the relief necessary to lifting these additional fire safety precautions. "The campfire restrictions will be lifted as soon as the weather brings some much needed soaking rain," he said.
In addition to the Forest-wide campfire restrictions, woodcutters need to be aware that restrictions are also in place regarding woodcutting.
"Right now, the front country areas of the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest (Zone 675) are in an Industrial Fire Precaution Level III which prohibits firewood cutting," Balboni said. That leaves very few areas of the forest available for woodcutting. It is best that woodcutters hold off awhile to do their firewood cutting until weather conditions change.