MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Washington State Parks bans campfires until further notice

Jul 2, 2021, 11:27 AM | Updated: 12:08 pm

campfire, firewood...

(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Leave the s’mores ingredients at home because Washington State Parks has banned wood and charcoal fires at its parks statewide and on ocean beaches until further notice. Fireworks are also prohibited at state parks.

The level 3 burn ban is effective immediately.

Parks says the campfire ban is necessary, given the hot and dry conditions across Washington state.

Check local ordinances for firework restrictions at ocean beaches.

It’s still OK to use gas or propane self-contained camping stoves and portable gas or propane firepits. However, you must be in a designated camping and picnic site.

On Thursday, State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz signed an order issuing a statewide burn ban on all forest lands under the Washington State Department of Natural Resources fire protection.

Statewide DNR burn ban enacted ahead of Fourth of July weekend

The order bans outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection through Sept. 30, 2021. It also supersedes any other burn ban currently in effect on forest lands under DNR protection.

“I am asking everyone in Washington to do their part to protect our firefighters and our communities this summer,” Franz said. “Please do not start a fire outside, and please do not set off your own fireworks this weekend.”

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Washington State Parks bans campfires until further notice