These campgrounds in Eastern Washington still allow campers to burn a campfire before ban
Camping season has arrived, and the picturesque ideal of roasting marshmallows around the campfire can finally come true. Washington state is ripe with camping destinations, no matter which part of the state you’re in.
Burn bans are often enacted as it gets hotter in the Pacific Northwest and wildfire season springs to life, particularly in eastern Washington. As of right now, no burn bans are in place on the east side. With plenty of destinations to choose from, where will you start your fire?
Campfire-friendly sites in Eastern Washington
The following state parks and national forests are currently campfire friendly, within the safety parameters set by the parks:
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Lincoln Rock State Park
- Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Maryhill State Park
- Potholes State Park
- Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
- Umatilla National Forest
- Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
- Yakima Sportsman State Park
The following parks may or may not allow campfires, please check in advance with individual park:
Washington state campfire safety
There are currently no burn bans in place through the Department of Natural Resources on the east side of the state. But campers must still be vigilant and safe around fires, even when the risk of wildfire is low. There are several guidelines to remember in order to stay safe.
The most crucial recommendation is to know before you go. Each campground will have different rules and suggestions for campers. Check the park website to be sure your information is up to date.
▪ Building a campfire
It is more than likely your campground will have a fire ring you should use to build your campfire. These are placed by officials in optimal areas, away from vegetation and low-hanging tree branches. Do not build a campfire elsewhere if a fire ring is readily available.
Don’t remove nearby tree branches to use for the fire. Firewood can be obtained without disturbing nature. Check if the campground sells firewood, or pick up small pieces of wood already on the ground. It is easier to collect wood that is already down and dead, according to the Leave No Trace Association. It’s also better for the ecosystem and burns more easily than green wood.
The best wood to use for campfires is small, not larger in diameter than an average adult wrist.
▪ While your campfire burns
Keep the flames around knee height, no higher than two feet up. This decreases the chance of embers escaping and catching vegetation on fire.
At least one person needs to be around a campfire the entire time it burns. It should burn until the wood is completely turned to ash.
Never leave a campfire unattended. Keep plenty of water nearby for safe extinguishing.
▪ Putting out a campfire
Do not use dirt to put out campfires — this is often not effective. Use water to douse the flames, then stir the embers to be sure the fire is entirely out. Ash and wood debris easily retain heat, so ensure everything gets wet. Keep stirring and adding water until no heat is emitted from the fire.
If the former fire is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
This story was originally published May 31, 2023 at 2:16 PM with the headline "These campgrounds in Eastern Washington still allow campers to burn a campfire before ban."