Beginning August 8, Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest, and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will restrict campfires to developed campgrounds, picnic areas, and rental cabins (national forest) with cement or metal fire rings only until further notice. This includes the coastal areas of Olympic National Park.
Federal land managers are instituting fire restrictions due to the long-term forecast for hot and dry weather, the current commitment of firefighting resources battling numerous wildfires around the nation, and the strain any new uncontrolled fires would place on these resources.
“With the high fire danger and staff already committed to suppressing fires across the country, we are enacting this fire restriction to conserve our firefighting resources and to help prevent additional fires," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum.
Gas camp stoves may still be used in the wilderness backcountry, but should be operated well away from flammable vegetation and forest litter. Creachbaum urges extreme caution with any open flame.
Visitors to national parks and forests should always use caution to prevent human-caused wildfires. To reduce the risk, please consider the following:
* Fireworks are prohibited on federal public lands.
* Before going camping, learn of any fire restrictions in place and never leave a campfire unattended.
* If smoking, always dispose of cigarette debris in some type of an ashtray.
To report a fire dial 911.
How to Extinguish a Campfire: smokeybear.com/
Active Fire Information- Incident Information System: inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Olympic National Park information: www.nps.gov/olym/
Olympic National Forest information: www.fs.usda.gov/olympic
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest information: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
State and county area burn bans: www.waburnbans.net
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
