The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service have released restrictions that essentially ban campfires, restrict smoking and certain types of stoves on parts of the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon. The restrictions are not PCT specific, they are in place broadly in the forests and parks that the trail passes through.
This page compiles the temporary fire restrictions for the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon. Campfires are banned on most of the PCT in California and in certain places in Washington. See our general page on fire information.
This is not an exhaustive list. For instance, it does not include permanent restrictions relating to fire bans around certain lakes. Nor did we summarize the restrictions on fireworks and combustion engines.
Please consult the agency websites for the full language of the restrictions. Usually, stoves that use gas or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed, other types of stoves are not. Smoking is not allowed on much of the trail and it is restricted in other places.
Listed north to south:
Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area
No known seasonal restrictions. Read their reminder about summer fire danger.
Mt Hood National Forest
Approximate PCT miles: 2,043 – 2,057 and 2,081 – 2,155
Read the Mt Hood NF fire restrictions.
Currently, fire restrictions apply between Highway 26 and Highway 35.
- No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or charcoal fire, except in certain developed recreation sites.
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed campground or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter, which is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Warm Springs Indian Reservation
No known seasonal restrictions.
Willamette National Forest
Approximate PCT miles: 1,853 – 1,888 and 1,888 – 2,044
No known seasonal restrictions per their fire information page.
Deschutes National Forest
Approximate PCT miles 1,875 – 2,028
No known seasonal restrictions.
Fremont-Winema National Forest
Approximate PCT miles: 1,780 – 1,800; 1,853 – 1,888; 1,852 – 1,855 and 1866 – 1873
Read the Fremont-Winema NF restrictions.
- No building, maintaining, attending or using campfires or stove fires, except in certain designated campgrounds/areas. Portable cooking stoves utilizing liquefied or bottled fuel sources continue to be allowed on all public lands managed by the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is void of all flammable material, including vegetation.
Umpqua National Forest
Approximate PCT miles: 1,853 – 1,888
Read the Umpqua NF restrictions.
- No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except in certain designated recreation sites, in approved fire rings, fireplaces or stoves provided. Commercially produced pressurized liquid or gas stoves are permitted. Using charcoal briquette stoves is prohibited.
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a listed developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material.
Crater Lake National Park
Read the Crater Lake NP fire restrictions.
Fires and stoves:
- Wood fires and charcoal fires are permitted only within established grills or fire rings, or portable self-contained grills, in certain front country campgrounds.
- Backcountry campfires are permitted only within established fire rings in the following designated campsites: Lightning Springs, Grouse Hill, Red Cone Springs, Bybee Creek, and Dutton Creek
- Gasoline and propane camp stoves and gas grills are permitted in campgrounds, picnic areas, backcountry areas and residential areas.
Smoking:
- Smoking is permitted only in the following areas:
- In vehicles, provided that an ashtray is used for ashes and butts.
- While stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or free of all flammable materials. Ashes and butts must be disposed of safely and may not be discarded on the ground.
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
No known season restrictions.
Rogue River-Siskyou National Forest
Approximate PCT miles: 1,706 – 1,823
Read the Rogue River-Siskiyou NF restrictions.
- No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire on any Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest protected lands except in certain designated recreation sites. Commercial stoves fired by liquid fuel or propane are permitted. The Sky Lakes Wilderness is exempt from this Order.
- No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, certain designated recreation sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material.