Campfires Banned in All Portions of North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

Update: Effective Friday, September 25, the burn ban on all lands within North Cascades National Park Service Complex is lifted. This includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds in Stehekin, along State Route 20 and the Ross Lake area.

Campfires are allowed in designated areas only in both front country and backcountry campsites.

Due to Increased fire danger and drawdown of firefighting resources, effective Tuesday, September 8, campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex – North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley. Stoves or grills that are solely fueled by liquid petroleum fuels are allowed in all locations. The burn ban complements similar restrictions in the adjacent Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Use caution when smoking and do not discard cigarette butts. Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands is always prohibited.

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.