The western U.S. is dry, and wildfires are a normal result. Wildfires, a natural occurrence, are made worse by drought and the effects of a changing climate. During periods of high fire danger, public lands are often under fire restrictions that involve special rules about campfires, use of stoves, smoking outdoors, and other potential fire dangers.

It is your responsibility to know what the current restrictions are for the area that you plan to visit. The PCT goes through dozens of different National Forests, Parks, and other types of land management units. Because fire season varies widely by region, each jurisdiction—whether federal, state, local or private—has the authority to impose seasonal fire restrictions within the area they manage. Our interactive map is a great tool for seeing who manages a piece of land and tracking down the appropriate restriction info.

Fire Restrictions: campfires, certain types of stoves, smoking and other activities might be banned.

Campfires are generally not allowed on remote stretches of the PCT in Southern California. Only the rare, developed car-camping campground, with official fire rings, allow fires (and only sometimes). The fire danger is too extreme, and population centers too at-risk to allow fires. It is important to note that in many areas on the PCT campfires are never allowed even with a valid campfire permit. Alcohol stoves and wood burning stoves can be dangerous since their fuel source is not contained and there is no positive shut-off. Stories abound of people burning picnic tables, themselves and starting forest fires when these stoves blew or were knocked over. It is likely that if campfires are prohibited, alcohol and wood burning stoves will be banned as well. “Light” levels of restrictions sometimes allow for stoves that burn gas, jelly petroleum and pressurized liquid fuel. Alcohol stoves and wood-burning stoves aren’t allowed. Sometimes, especially in Southern California, ALL stoves are banned. Smoking outdoors can be banned. Oftentimes it is only allowed within an enclosed building, an enclosed vehicle or developed campground. Other places, you may smoke if you're stopped in an area clear of grass and other flammable materials (sitting on a large rock for example.) When driving to the trail during periods of increase restrictions, all motorized vehicles, including off-highway vehicles, are generally prohibited from going off-road or using any forest trails. Fireworks are prohibited. For trail maintainers, chainsaw use is often prohibited. If allowed, the following firefighting equipment must be present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. During restrictions, blasting is prohibited. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is also generally prohibited during high fire danger.

Fire Danger Levels are those green, yellow and red warning signs

They’re a quick snapshot that tells you how risky the day is.

Fire Danger Levels are what you see often on colored roadside signs with a barometer from green, blue, yellow, red and black. Fire danger levels are reviewed almost daily during the dry months. As the danger becomes greater, the increase in danger level might trigger a higher set of restrictions.

A Red Flag Warning is a type of fire weather warning

It’s a “Hey! Watch out!”, the next 24 hours are prime for wildfires.

Basically, these warnings are telling you that conditions may be ideal for the ignition and rapid spread of wildfires in the next 24 hours. These are high-level alerts issued by the National Weather Service and you will find them at weather.gov. Everything from wind speed, to how dry the forest is, to how remote a place is might be considered when setting the warning level. During red flag warnings, trail crews aren’t even allowed to use chainsaws. Simply running a motor in the woods can be too risky. Check for fire weather warnings before you head out. If you’re already in the backcountry, and it’s been hot, dry, and windy, you can assume that a Red Flag Warning has already been issued.

Fire Weather Watches are slightly less urgent warnings

These watches are saying that in the next 12-72 hours conditions favorable for wildfires might develop. A Fire Weather Watch is telling you to watch the forecast. A Red Flag Warning might be issued soon.

So, what do you do when you learn about a warning or a restriction?

You may need to change your behavior. Dry fuels (sticks, grasses, and branches), low humidity, heat, wind and thunderstorm conditions can lead to watches and warnings. During some events, hundreds of wildfires start in a short period. Generally, campfires are banned during these warnings. Your stoves and other fire sources might also be restricted. Travel and camp with extreme caution. It is your responsibility to know what the current restrictions are for the area that you plan to visit. You can be held liable for the cost of suppression and damages of a wildland fire that you cause. You help protect our wild places by knowing and following the rules for the safe use of fire.

There are several ways to find out about current fire restrictions in the area you plan to visit

At PCTA.org/maps you can turn on land management boundaries for our public lands, so you know which jurisdiction to contact. Check their website (fs.usda.gov, nps.gov, blm.gov and parks.ca.gov) and enter the area you are interested in. If it’s a Forest Service website, look for current "alerts and warnings", including fire restrictions, burn bans, and area closures. Call or visit the local ranger station nearest your destination. Check the weather forecasts at weather.gov for Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches. In Oregon, the Oregon Dept of Forestry Restrictions & Closures website is a good resource for non-U.S. Forest Service managed land. Photos by Tony Webster and Helen K.

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