HOOD RIVER, Ore. (July 15, 2024) — Due to increased fire danger and dry weather conditions, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has issued restrictions on campfires, smoking, and other activities on National Forest System lands in the Gorge starting today, Monday, July 15, 2024.
Public Use Restrictions include:
- No Campfires. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including a charcoal fire and pellet fire, on all National Forest System land within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, including developed campgrounds, is prohibited. Exempt from this restriction are petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices that can be turned off.
- No Smoking. Smoking is prohibited 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.
- Using Explosives or Pyrotechnics. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework, explosive or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited.
- No Welding or Torch Use. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is prohibited.
- Operating an Internal/External Combustion Engine. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained and in effective working order is prohibited.
- Off-Road Motorized Vehicle Use. Vehicle travel is only allowed on National Forest System Roads except in those areas designated as open on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. With concern for public safety and the increased potential for human caused wildfires, officials remind public land visitors to use extreme caution when visiting the National Scenic Area; under current conditions, even a spark can rapidly become a large wildfire.
Similar restrictions may be in effect on neighboring National Forests. Please remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to know what restrictions are in place when visiting public lands. For more information regarding restrictions near you, please visit:
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa
Gifford Pinchot National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot
Mt. Hood National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mthood