Siuslaw National Forest bans campfires outside developed sites

Campfires are off limits across most of Siuslaw National Forest unless visitors are inside a developed campground or designated recreation site, with sand-camping fires still allowed in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area. The June 29 order tightened summer rules as the forest faced unseasonably hot and dry conditions and a forest-wide fire danger level that remained moderate.

Forest Order #06-12-00-26-08 took effect June 29, 2026, and runs through December 1, 2026, unless it is rescinded sooner. It bans campfires, charcoal fires, briquette fires, pellet fires and other open flames outside designated recreation sites or campgrounds. No casual fire rings are allowed at dispersed sites on forest land.

Portable cooking stoves and lanterns fueled by bottled or liquefied gas are still allowed. Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, buildings or developed recreation sites. Generators may be used only where there is no vegetation, such as paved areas or developed campsites. Motorized vehicles remain restricted to designated roads and trails, although off-road and off-trail driving continues in the dunes and Sand Lake areas if it follows the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Sand Lake Recreation Area covers 1,076 acres of open sand dunes about 15 miles southwest of Tillamook, and the southern Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area spans 31,500 acres and was designated by Congress in 1972.

Lane Fire Authority set Western Lane County fire season to begin June 8, and outdoor yard-debris burning closed May 30. On June 29, the national wildland fire preparedness level rose to PL 4. Visitors should check conditions before heading out and call 911 if they see a wildfire.