Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and Forest Service lands on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order, including in developed campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off. Additionally, target shooting is temporarily prohibited because of the risk of wildfire.
These restrictions will begin Thursday, July 1 on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Friday, July 2 on both the Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests.
Early drought conditions have been compacted by extreme heat. Even after temperatures drop a bit, forecasted dry summer conditions will continue to increase the risk of wildfire. With the current dry, hot conditions any wildfire start poses a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property.
“We are seeing conditions that are more common to August,” said Dirk Shupe, Fire Management Staff Officer for the Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests. “With a dry summer ahead, we want to limit the unnecessary risk caused by abandoned or escaped campfires to our local communities, and the recreating public.”
More wildfire information and the full text of the Forest Order is on the Forest websites at:
- Mt Hood National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/fire
- Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/crgnsa/fire
For more information about the local and regional fire outlook visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/predict/outlook.aspx
And remember, fireworks are always prohibited on national forests.
Release Date: Jun 30, 2021
