OKANOGAN – Fall campers will be happy to hear that campfire restrictions on National Forest Lands in Okanogan County have been lifted. Campfires are now allowed at dispersed as well as developed campsites.

“We’ve gotten a little rain,” said Jill Vugteveen Assistant Fire Management Officer, “and we feel comfortable lifting the campfire ban. But we want to remind everyone that fire danger is still high, the small amount of moisture received is not enough to make up for the summer our County has experienced and campers should remain vigilant.”

“Keep fires small,” said Vugteveen. “Someone needs to remain at the campfire at all times and when putting fires out, they need to follow the standard rules of pouring water on the fire, stirring the embers and repeating the process until the place where the fire has been burning is cool to the touch”.

Woodcutting is permitted on National Forest Lands in the County until 1:00 pm with a one hour fire watch required following chainsaw use. Firewood cutters are encouraged to check each day for changes in the Industrial Fire Precaution Level, or IFPL. That information is posted online at https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/ifpl/.

For additional information visit the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest web site at www.fs.usda.gov/okawen or contact the Tonasket or Methow Valley Ranger Districts at 509-486-2186 or 509-486-4000.