Plus, six tips to keep campfires safe and enjoyable this season
Campfire restrictions update - read carefully
Please check this page before your camping reservation to see if the park you're visiting is impacted by a fire ban. These bans help to keep you and other visitors safe during the busy fire season. You can learn more about wildfire impacts at Oregon State Parks.
A fire ban means no wood fires, charcoal, charcoal briquettes, pellet-fueled grills, candles, tiki torches and other devices that emit flames or embers and cannot be turned off with a valve. Portable cooking stoves, propane fire rings, barbecues, and lanterns using liquefied or bottle fuels are allowed. Devices using liquefied or bottle fuels are banned in the backcountry unless used for cooking. Exceptions to this will be noted beside the park below:
Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint (Propane fire rings also not allowed)
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Deschutes River State Recreation Area
Farewell Bend State Recreation Area (effective June 20)
Fort Rock State Natural Area (Propane fire rings also not allowed)
Koberg Beach State Recreation Site
Lake Owyhee State Park (effective June 20)
Lang Forest State Scenic Corridor
LaPine State Park (Pellet-fueled grills and wood fires permitted in the campground)
Lindsey Creek State Scenic Corridor
Mayer State Park
Memaloose State Park
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint (Propane fire rings also not allowed)
Seneca Fouts Memorial State Natural Area
Sheridan State Scenic Corridor
Starvation Creek State Park
The Cove Palisades State Park (Propane fire rings also not allowed)
Viento State Park
Vinzenz Lausmann Memorial State Natural Area
Wyeth State Recreation Area
Wygant State Natural Area
Fireworks are prohibited year-round on all Oregon beaches and Oregon state park property.
Questions? Send an email to our Oregon State Parks Information Center or call 800 551-6949.
Six tips for a safe and enjoyable campfire when and where permitted
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Maintain campfire flames at no more than knee height (about 2 feet high). A smaller flame helps prevent ash and embers from rising into the trees or dry vegetation. If you see the wind stirring up embers, play it safe and put the fire out.
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Only build campfires in the existing fire ring in your campsite. Fire rings are placed in areas with buffer zones and away from vegetation.
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Always keep plenty of water on hand to safely put out the campfire. Douse the flames with water and stir the embers to make sure everything is wet. The stirring step is important: ash and wood debris often maintain heat.
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Beach campfires should be on open sand and away from driftwood or vegetation. Slowly pour water on your beach fire to put it out. Pouring water too quickly can cause hot sand to fly. Don’t use sand to put out a beach fire. Covering the fire with sand will insulate the coals, keeping them hot enough to burn someone hours or even days later.
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For propane fire rings, follow the same safety precautions you would with a log-based campfire. The use of propane fire rings may vary depending on local conditions.
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Make sure everyone in your campsite is familiar with campfire safety, including children. Always keep an eye on your campfire; many accidental fires are started because campers left their fire unattended for “just a minute.”
When a campground is in a wildfire evacuation Level 1, 2 or 3
Level 1
Before you arrive—or during your stay—a campground may be affected by a wildfire. The park could be subject to Level 1, 2, or 3 notification without warning. Incoming reservation customers will receive an email from us if a park is under a Level 1 status or if it is closed because of Level 2 or Level 3 status. The status will also be included in the fire restrictions list above when needed.
What does this mean and what should you consider for your trip?
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If a park reaches Level 1, that means a fire is in the area, and you should be ready to evacuate if notified. Air quality may be affected. Visit www.oregonsmoke.org and ODF's current wildfire information for the latest conditions.
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If you choose to cancel your reservation when a park is at Level 1, standard charges and policies apply. Cancellation information
Level 2
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If a park falls within the Level 2 boundaries, it will be evacuated. Please follow the direction of park staff or law enforcement to safely leave the campground.
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Your reservations will be canceled and all fees will be refunded. Oregon State Parks will contact incoming campers with updates on their reservations.
Level 3
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If a park falls within the Level 3 boundaries, it is under evacuation or has already evacuated. Please follow the direction of park staff or law enforcement to safely leave the campground.
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Your reservations will be canceled and all fees will be refunded. Oregon State Parks will contact incoming campers with updates on their reservations.
Resources
Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery
Oregon Smoke Information
Tripcheck: Check road conditions before you travel.
For breaking news and information, follow the Twitter accounts and Facebook pages for Oregon State Parks, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Oregon Department of Emergency Management.