Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest beginning Friday, July 12, 2024.
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.
The recent hot weather has caused Fire Danger Indices to rise, and with no rain or cool-down in the forecast, fire personnel anticipate the potential for fires to continue to remain high through the summer. With the current dry and warm long-range forecast, wildfire starts pose a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property.
“Most wildfires are human-caused. With our hot, dry summer conditions any fire can become a big problem fast, putting lives and property at risk,” said Dirk Shupe, Fire Management Staff Officer for the Mt. Hood National Forest. “We’re thankful for the vast majority of folks who take fire safety seriously and help us protect our public lands.”
Source: US Forest Service