Campfires limited to campgrounds, wilderness areas, in Willamette National Forest

Zach Urness, Salem Statesman Journal
·1 min read

The 1.6 million acre Willamette National Forest has limited campfires as of Saturday to developed campgrounds and five alpine wilderness areas, but they're banned everywhere else, including dispersed campsites, the U.S. Forest Service announced.

The forest east of Salem and Eugene is moving from high to very high fire danger, officials said, amid hot and dry conditions.

"All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires will be prohibited outside of designated campgrounds," a news release said.

Mount Hood National Forest, to the north, has banned all campfires no matter where they occur.

The fire restrictions apply to all lands within the forest except the Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, Waldo Lake and Diamond Peak wilderness areas.

"The recent heat wave has accelerated the drying of fuels across the forest. The dry conditions are receptive to new ignitions and are conducive to rapid fire spread," the release said.

Willamette National Forest campfire restriction details

Information from the Forest Service on what is allowed or restricted currently:

  • Fireworks are not allowed.

  • Portable cooking stoves and lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel are allowed.

  • Motorized vehicles may operate only on designated trails and roads.

  • Generators are permitted only in areas without vegetation such as a paved areas or a developed campsite.

  • Smoking is not allowed except within an enclosed vehicle or building or a developed recreation site.

  • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, is also not allowed.

"Please be aware of current restrictions before you head out and share current information with others who may be unaware of the restrictions," the Forest Service said.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Willamette National Forest limits campfires to campgrounds