News Release

Campfire ban begins July 26 in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, Wash. - Beginning at 12:00am on Friday, July 26, 2024, all campfires, including charcoal, will be prohibited in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. This ban applies to anything that produces an ash and includes the coastal areas of Olympic National Park.

Pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are permitted in campgrounds and wilderness areas if there is no flammable material within three feet of the device. These stoves must be equipped with an on-off switch or valve capable of immediately extinguishing the flame. Extreme caution is urged with any open flame.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue through the rest of summer. Most of the Olympic Peninsula has received less than 1/10 of an inch of rainfall in the last 20 days.   

“The number of wildland fires are increasing across the region and country” said Jeff Bortner, Interagency Fire Management Officer. “As a result, resources and incident management teams are working at maximum capacity. We are therefore using every option to eliminate ignition sources and prevent the establishment of an unwanted fire on the Olympic Peninsula. Drought conditions are predicted to continue and we are in the Very High Fire Danger category. Banning campfires, including the use of charcoal, allows us to reduce the risk of new fires forming on the landscape. We are also asking everyone to exercise the highest level of caution when visiting the Olympic Peninsula to help us prevent unwanted fires.” 

Following just a few simple steps can help prevent wildfires. Remember:
•  Fireworks are always prohibited on federal public lands
•  Before going camping, check for new fire restrictions 
•  Tow safely and maintain your vehicle to prevent sparks
•  Always dispose of cigarette debris in some type of an ashtray
•  Report fires by dialing 911

For more information on wildfire prevention, visit: Wildfire Prevention | National Interagency Fire Center (nifc.gov)

Visit the Forest and Park’s websites to learn more and follow us on social media at:
Olympic National Forest
www.fs.usda.gov/olympic 
@olympicforest Twitter and Olympic National Forest Facebook

Olympic National Park 
www.nps.gov/olym  
https://www.facebook.com/OlympicNPS
https://www.instagram.com/olympic_nps/