Public Use Restrictions Rescinded for the Wallowa Whitman National Forest

WALLOWA COUNTY – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) Are you looking to head out to the Forest this weekend? You will be happy to know that as of Friday morning, the Public Use Restriction order will be rescinded. Seasonal Restrictions will still be in effect, and we ask that you still recreate responsibly, making sure to follow some general guidelines while burning:

1. Campfires are allowed only in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not conducive to rapid fire spread, at a minimum clear of all flammable material within a radius of 3 feet from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible.

• Campfires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished prior to leaving. 

• Persons with campfires are required to have a tool that can serve as a shovel and one gallon of water in their possession. The intent of this requirement is to ensure individuals with a campfire have the tools necessary to completely extinguish their campfire.

• Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled gas and wood burning stoves equipped with a chimney that is at least five (5) feet in length with a spark-arresting screen consisting of ¼ inch mesh hardware cloth are allowed. 

• Use of charcoal briquettes is permitted under the same restrictions as campfires as described above.

• Within designated wilderness areas users are encouraged to locate fires such that minimal disturbance would be necessary to meet the clearing requirements identified. Naturally cleared areas, previously used sites, and areas where vegetation is non-flammable (green grass) are examples.

For more information about the Wallowa Whitman National Forest and current fire updates, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman

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Elkhorn Media Group