Beginning Friday, July 12, 2024, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is prohibiting open campfires across the forest. Fires will only be allowed in metal fire pits or rings in designated recreation sites.

Under this fire restriction, wood and charcoal fires are only allowed in designated campgrounds and picnic areas that have established metal fire pits or rings. Building and tending open fires, including charcoal briquettes, cooking fires, and warming fires are prohibited until further notice. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns and heating devices using liquified or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be easily switched off. 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 is also prohibited. Violators can be fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned up to six months in jail.

Even where campfires are permitted, make sure fires are totally extinguished and cool to the touch before leaving the site. Use the metal campfire rings in the campgrounds, clear vegetation away from any flame sources, and keep a shovel and bucket of water close by.

Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) 2 also goes into effect on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest July 12. Restrictions on firewood cutting, timber operations, and other industrial operations performed on national forest lands will be required to follow IFPL 2 requirements. Included in these requirements are a prohibition on chainsaw use between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and the need to maintain a fire watch of at least one hour following the use of a chainsaw.

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or charcoal fire is authorized only in the following designated campgrounds:

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

• Adams Fork Campground
• Big Creek Campground
• Blue Lake Creek Campground
• Cat Creek Campground **NOT CHIMNEY AREA**
• Chambers Lake Campground
• Cispus Learning Center
• Cody Horse Camp
• Horseshoe Lake Campground
• La Wis Wis Campground
• Keenes Horse Camp
• Killen Creek Campground
• North Fork Campground (Main and Group)
• Olallie Lake Campground
• Soda Springs Campground
• Takhlakh Lake Campground
• Tower Rock Campground
• Walupt Lake Campground

Walupt Horse Camp Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & District

• Kalama Horse Camp
• Green River Horse Camp

Mt Adams Ranger District

• Atkisson Group Camp
• Beaver Campground
• Cold Springs
• Indian Camp
• Cultus Creek Campground
• Falls Creek Horse Camp
• Forlorn Lakes Campground
• Goose Lake Campground
• Government Mineral Springs Campground (Does not include Guard Station)
• Lewis River Horse Camp
• Lower Falls Campground
• Moss Creek Campground
• Oklahoma Campground
• Panther Creek Campground
• Paradise Creek Campground
• Peterson Prairie Campground (Includes Cabin)
• Tillicum Campground
• Trout Lake Creek Campground
• Twin Falls Campground

Visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website for updates: www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot