Sequoia, King’s Canyon, Other National Parks Begin Fire Restrictions, Bans
Record temperatures, drought, and extreme fire danger warrant fire restrictions and bans
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Citing extreme fire danger, record-setting temperatures, drought, and a commitment of firefighting resources both regionally and nationally, Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Park are increasing fire restrictions to Stage 3 – their highest level – according to the National Park Service. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area also banned all open flames citing extreme conditions.
Multiple record temperatures have been broken in parts of the Pacific Northwest. The parks stress that several geographic areas are experiencing major incidents which have the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources.
“This ban on all campfires in our front-country and wilderness areas is designed to reduce our risk from unwanted human-caused fires during the hottest and driest part of the year,” said Chief John Ziegler, parks’ fire management officer. He added, “We must all do more than before to be extra safe and cautious this year.”
Additional fire restrictions in National Parks include stage 1 fire restrictions in effect for Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and National Elk Refuge beginning 12:01 a.m. Thursday July 1, 2021.
“The limited number of available fire resources due to the national fire situation and the increased traffic may limit our ability to respond to fires in a timely fashion,” said Josh Erickson, assistant fire management officer for the Bridger-Teton National Forest. “We want people to take the danger seriously and obey the restrictions that are in place.”
