With the Fourth of July holiday just days away, fire officials are reminding visitors that fireworks of any kind — including sparklers — remain prohibited across the Siuslaw National Forest.
The restriction applies to all Forest Service lands, including campgrounds, trails, parking lots and sand dunes, according to Kevin Reese, fire staff officer for Northwest Oregon Interagency Fire Management.
“Fireworks pose a serious fire threat,” Reese said in a statement. “With warm and dry conditions, one small spark can start a wildfire.”
Fireworks are banned on national forest land year-round, regardless of weather conditions. Violators face a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both.
The fireworks ban is part of broader fire restrictions currently in place under a forest order. Campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires and other open fires are prohibited outside of designated recreation sites and campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves and lanterns that run on liquefied or bottled fuel are still permitted, since they can be shut off instantly. Campfires remain allowed inside developed campgrounds and other designated recreation sites.
Officials are urging visitors to “know before you go” and check current restrictions before heading out, noting that conditions can change quickly.
Fire information is available on the Siuslaw National Forest website.