Aug. 5, 2022 – Due to the increased risk of wildfires, Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire managers have issued restrictions on campfires, smoking, and other activities within the forest. These restrictions will begin Monday, Aug. 8.
Prohibitions include:
  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including a charcoal fire and pellet fire on all Gifford Pinchot general forest land and developed campgrounds.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
  • Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices
  • Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
The following exemptions apply:
  1. 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.
  2. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or charcoal fire is authorized in the following developed recreational sites except those campgrounds that are gated:
Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
  • Adams Fork Campground
  • Big Creek Campground
  • Blue Lake Creek Campground
  • Cat Creek Campground **NOT CHIMNEY AREA**
  • Cispus Learning Center
  • Cody Horse Camp
  • Horseshoe Lake Campground
  • Iron Creek Campground
  • La Wis Wis Campground
  • Keenes Horse Camp
  • Killen Creek Campground
  • North Fork (Main and Group)
  • Olallie Lake Campground
  • Soda Springs Campground
  • Takhlakh Lake Campground
  • Tower Rock Campground
  • Walupt Lake Campground
  • Walupt Horse Camp
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
  • Green River Horse Camp
  • Kalama Horse Camp
  • Sunset Falls Campground
Mt Adams Ranger District
  • Atkisson Group Camp
  • Beaver Camp Ground
  • Canyon Creek Camp Ground
  • Cold Springs Indian Campground
  • Crest Horse Camp
  • Cultus Creek Campground
  • Falls Creek Horse Camp
  • Forlorn Lakes Camp Ground
  • Goose Lake Camp Ground
  • Government Mineral Springs Camp Ground (Includes Guard Station)
  • Hemlock Picnic Area
  • Lewis River Horse Camp
  • Little Goose Camp Ground
  • Lower Falls Camp Ground
  • Moss Creek Camp Ground
  • Oklahoma Campground
  • Panther Creek Campground
  • Panther Creek Horse Camp
  • Paradise Creek Campground
  • Peterson Prairie Campground
  • Smokey Creek Campground
  • Tillicum Campground
  • Trout Lake Creek Campground
  • Twin Falls Campground
“We are seeing extremely hot and dry conditions on the forest,” said Dirk Shupe, Fire Management Staff Officer for the Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests. “With a dry summer ahead, we want to limit the unnecessary risk caused by abandoned or escaped campfires to our local communities, and the recreating public.”
Nearly nine out of ten wildfires nationwide are human-caused and can be prevented. Everyone can do their part to help prevent wildfires. Smokey Bear’s message of preventing unwanted human-caused ignitions is more relevant today than ever before as more people live closer to wildlands and recreate outdoors.
For Gifford Pinchot wildfire information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/fire
For more information about the local and regional fire outlook visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/predict/outlook.aspx