Bureau of Land Management expands fire restrictions to include Western Washington

SPOKANE, Wash. — With wildfire danger increasing throughout the Northwest, fire officials from the Spokane District are expanding fire restrictions on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation to Western Washington.

Beginning July 18, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including charcoal briquette fire will be prohibited in the following counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom.

Within the San Juan Islands National Monument, campfires (including charcoal briquette fires) will continue to be allowed within provided steel rings at improved campgrounds on Patos, Posey, and Blind Islands.

In all areas, operating any motorized vehicle, or parking off the road (including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles) is only allowed in areas clear of any flammable vegetation.

“Don't let something hot hit the grass,” said Tim Cawley-Murphree, Acting Fire Management Officer for the BLM Spokane District. “Secure your trailer safety chains and maintain your wheel bearings.” Motorists can help prevent vehicle/equipment fires by:

• Maintaining engine and exhaust systems to prevent sparks or hot debris from shooting out the exhaust. Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles used on public lands must be equipped with a properly functioning and approved spark arrestor.
• Ensuring vehicle and trailer tires are not worn, brakes are in good working order, bearings and axles are greased, nothing is dragging on the vehicle or trailer, loads are secured, and safety chains are properly in place.
• Always carry a shovel and one gallon container of water, or a fully charged and operable 2.5-pound fire extinguisher.

Additionally, smoking is only authorized in vehicles or areas at least three feet in diameter that are clear of flammable vegetation.

Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect for the following Eastern Washington counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties. For these areas, all types of open fire, including the use charcoal briquettes, are prohibited, as is non-hunting use of firearms, in addition to the smoking and operating a vehicle off developed roadways.

Fireworks and exploding targets are always prohibited on public lands.

Violating public use restrictions can result in fines up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. Individuals causing a wildfire can also be held responsible for damages and fire suppression costs.

For more information, please contact the BLM Spokane District at 509-536-1200 or [email protected].