The National Park Service is banning campfires in all portions of North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area starting Friday, July 12.
The ban includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds on State Route 20, Hozomeen and the Stehekin Valley, as part of a measure intended to reduce the chance of human-caused wildfires. Stoves or grills used for cooking and fueled by liquid petroleum fuels are permitted while cooking, according to a news release.
Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office instituted a Stage 1 burn ban July 1 through Sept. 14 in unincorporated Whatcom County. During Stage 1 burn bans, land clearing and yard debris burning are prohibited, but recreational fires are allowed with the landowner’s permission.
Last year, the Sourdough Fire in the North Cascades forced the cancellation of the Environmental Learning Center’s programming. The fire burned more than 6,000 acres of protected forests and forced the closure of nearly the entire National Park.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
