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  • Campfire Ban in Effect Forest-wide

    Stage 1 Fire Restrictions went into effect on Thursday, July 23, prohibiting all wood, wood stove, and charcoal briquette stoves and other open flames forest-wide including campgrounds and Wilderness areas. However, the use of pressurized liquid gas stoves is an acceptable alternative, 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. The device must have a functioning on-off switch or valve that can extinguish the fire immediately.

    The following activities and uses are NOT ALLOWED on the Forest during Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

    • Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest System lands. 
    • Parking or driving a vehicle off National Forest roads and trails except minimum vehicle travel over bare mineral soil, to access dispersed camping. 
    • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

    For Industrial Fire Precaution Levels, which cover use of chainsaws, visit https://dnr.wa.gov/wildfire-resources/industrial-fire-precaution-levels-ifpl.

    Find current fire danger at https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/

Alert Start Date: July 21, 2026

Alert End Date: October 31, 2026

Order Number: 06-05-26-10

Contact Information

Contact Email: sm.fs.mbs_pao@usda.gov

Forest Order

MOUNT BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST
Forest Order # 06-05-26-10
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions


Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This Order is effective from July 23, 2026, 12:01 am, through October 31, 2026, unless rescinded.
 

PROHIBITION AREA DESCRIPTION:
These prohibitions apply to all lands throughout the entirety of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The Closure Area is shown on the attached map, Exhibit A.
 

PROHIBITIONS enacted by this order:

  • Campfires: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, cook stove; including solid fuel, charcoal briquette, gas/jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel or propane fire is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
    Exemptions:
    • When the cook stove, lantern or campfire is fueled solely by gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel or propane with an on/off switch and flammable vegetation is cleared a minimum of 3-feet away from open flame on all sides.
  • Smoking: Prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
    Exemptions:
    • Within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, in a water way or while stopped in an area at least 3-feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
  • Welding: Operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).
  • Explosives: Using explosives is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b).
  • Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads: Prohibited off National Forest System trails and roads designated on the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). 36 C.F.R. § 261.56.
    Exemptions:
    • Parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10-feet of the roadway or minimum travel over bare mineral soil to access dispersed camping.
       

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
 

  • Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
  • Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
  • Persons using wood-burning appliances with spark arrestor screens that are installed within cabins or other permanent structures.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581.

 

Executed at Everett, Washington, this 20th day of July, 2026.

Rec Sites Affected

Last updated August 6, 2026