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Fire Restrictions
There are no fire restrictions in effect on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Description [or scroll down]
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Description [or scroll down]
Wilderness Fire Restrictions -- areas where campfires are never allowed.
Fire Restrictions come in different stages and become more prohibitive with each stage. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest begins by implementing a Stage 1 Restriction and if conditions worsen, Stage 2 is implemented.
We use certain criteria to determine what stage of fire restrictions to implement, which includes current and predicted weather, how many resources we have available to fight fires, fuel moisture in the forest, fire behavior and containment challenges, as well as several others. Regardless of what level of fire restrictions we implement, not all fires can be prevented. Fires start from careless forest users, lightning, and inadvertent human-causes.
We live in a fire-adapted ecosystem which depends on fire for its health, so it's never a question of IF a wildfire will start, but WHEN and HOW we will be able to respond to it.
- Wilderness Fire Restrictions
- Campfire Safety Information
- What are Fire Danger Levels?
- Why do we implement fire restrictions?
- The Best Smokey Bear Video
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Stage 2 Fire Restriction Order
FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
What is Allowed:
- Pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, or heating devices as long as they are used in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material within 3 feet of the device. This includes propane campfires.
What is Prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including briquette fires, torches or other open flame from solid fuel. Pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are permitted, provided such devices are used in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material within 3 feet of the device.
- Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Using an explosive. Explosives are always prohibited.
- Possessing, discharging, or using any type of fireworks. Fireworks are always prohibited.
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System Roads and Trails
- Discharging a firearm, except lawful hunting is permissible. Persons possessing a valid hunting license or exercwho are legally attempting to take game are exempt from this section of the prohibition. [added to restrictions August 20, 2021]
- Violating any state law concerning burning, fires, or which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.
The following are ALWAYS Prohibited on National Forest land even when there are no fire restrictions in effect:
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.
The use of explosives including exploding targets and incendiary ammunition.
Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.
Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine in violation of Industrial Fire Precaution directives (IFPL).
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order
Exhibit A-B: Exhibit A is a list of designated campgrounds, special areas and recreation residences where campfire are allowed in established fire rings. Exhibit B is a list of locations in wilderness areas where campfires are never allowed.
When Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the entire Forest, see restrictions below, except in Wilderness areas and the recreation sites and wilderness locations noted in Exhibit A below.
What is Prohibited in Stage 1:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including a charcoal, and other open flames, except within campfire rings established by the Forest Service at the following posted, developed and designated campgrounds, or other Organizational Camps, Recreation Residences, and Resorts under Special Use Permits shown on Exhibit A-B.
However, pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are permitted, provided such devices are used in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material within 3 feet of the device and meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.
Using an explosive.
Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System Roads and Trails, except minimum travel over bare mineral soil, to access dispersed camping.
Violating any state law concerning burning, fires, or which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.
What is Allowed During Stage 1:
- Campfires in designated recreation sites
- Campfires in designated Wilderness Areas, except specific locations where they are never allowed. See Wilderness Fire Restrictions always in Effect
- Shooting firearms IS allowed. Just make sure to follow normal federal rules: No shooting within a 150 yards of a campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, residence or building. The use of explosives including exploding targets and incendiary ammunition is always prohibited. No shooting across a road, trail or body of water, or in any manner or place whereby any person property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge. No shooting in a cave.
The Following are Always Prohibited even when there are no fire restrictions in effect:
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.
The use of explosives including exploding targets and incendiary ammunition.
Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.
Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine in violation of Industrial Fire Precaution directives (IFPL). State law prohibits operation of chainsaws or industrial equipment outside of IFPL requirements
Campfire is defined as a fire, not within any building, mobile home, or living accommodation mounted on a motor vehicle, which is used for cooking, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial, or esthetic purposes.
Some important points as to why we implement fire restrictions
- The number one reason is to protect human life, property and our natural resources. The smallest spark can turn our dry forest into a dangerous wildfire that can threaten lives and property.
- We use certain criteria to determine what stage of fire restrictions to implement, which includes current and predicted weather, how many resources we have available to fight fires, fuel moisture in the forest, fire behavior and containment challenges, as well as several others.
- Regardless of what level of fire restrictions we implement, not all fires can be prevented. Fires start from careless forest users, lightning, and inadvertent human-causes.We live in a fire-adapted ecosystem which depends on fire for its health, so it's never a question of if a wildfire will start, but when and how we will be able to respond to it.
Contact one of our offices for more information.
Wilderness Area Campfire Restrictions that are Always in Effect
Even when there are no fire restrictions, and during Stage 1 Restrictions, there are still areas where campfires are never allowed. See below.
Campfires are NOT allowed:
- Above 5,000 feet elevation in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. [Campfires are prohibited above 4,000 feet on the west side of the Cascade crest in Alpine Lakes Wilderness on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest].
- Within ½ mile of the following lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area on Wenatchee River Ranger District: Hope Lake, Josephine Lake, Leland Lake, Little Eightmile Lake, Mig Lake, Nada Lake, Swimming Deer Lake, Square Lake, Trout Lake, Wolverine Lake, Upper and Lower Grace Lakes, Lake Donald, Loch Eileen, Lake Ethel, Lake Julius, Lake Susan Jane.
- Within ½ mile of the following lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area on the Cle Elum Ranger District: Rachel Lake, Upper Park Lake (essentially the whole basin), Glacier Lake, Spectacle Lake, Ivanhoe Lake, Shovel Lake, Lake Rebecca/Rowena, Deep Lake
- Within ¼ mile of the following lakes in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area: Sally Ann, Minotaur, Theseus, Heather, Glasses, and Valhalla.
- Within ½ mile of the following lakes in the Glacier Peak Wilderness area on the Entiat Ranger District: Ice Lakes
- Within ¼ mile of the following lakes in the William O. Douglas Wilderness: Dewey Lake and Goat Lake
- Within these areas of Goat Rocks Wilderness: Shoe Lake Basin and Snowgrass Flats
Fire Prevention and Safety Tips While Visiting Public Lands
Each year escaped campfires are the leading human cause of wildfires on the Forest.
FINES for escaped campfires, fireworks and having a campfire in a closed area
- Each year escaped campfires are the leading human cause of wildfires on the Forest. Do not ignore the campfire restrictions! Please report any unattended campfires.
- If a fire results from your escaped campfire or the illegal use of fireworks you can be subject to a citation and a fine from $100 up to $5,000 and/or 1 year in jail.
- This violation doesn’t just apply if your fire escapes, but also if you “build, maintain, attend or use” a campfire in an area where campfires are not allowed (areas closed to campfire use). You can also be held responsible for fire suppression costs. Suppression efforts are very costly, often running into hundreds of thousands of dollars and more.
- Please take note--If we see someone with an illegal campfire they will receive a ticket.
- Fireworks are always illegal on the Forest.
