The Hiawatha National Forest has rescinded the current forest order that restricted the building, maintaining, attending or use of a fire or campfire except those in Forest Service provided and maintained fire rings and prohibited the use of charcoal grills (Forest Order R9-10-21-02).
These stage 1 fire restrictions are being lifted due to recent rain events and higher humidity.
We ask visitors to continue to be diligent about campfire safety, particularly as you plan your trip to the Hiawatha National Forest this Fourth of July holiday. Please remember that possessing, igniting, discharging or using any kind of fireworks is prohibited on National Forest System lands
A good rule of thumb is to Know Before You Go! You can check the current fire danger through the Great Lakes Fires and Fuels website, as well as the U.S. Drought monitor for the Midwest website. For all outdoor burning, including campfires, be sure to check the MI-DNR burn permit web-based map prior to lighting any brush or debris piles. And, check out Smokey Bear’s tips to help keep your fire contained and controlled.
Keep your fire small and stay away from using flammable liquids like gasoline to start your fire. When you’re done, cool your coals. Allowing your fire to burn down to white ash and stirring the coals can release trapped heat that will keep your campfire hot. Then Drown, Stir, Feel, repeat, until your fire is dead out and cold to the touch. Popping, crackling and hissing indicate the fire is still hot, you should continue to add water and stir until you can touch the coals, making sure they are cold to the touch.
Remember to fully extinguish your campfire before going to bed or leaving your site. Unattended campfires risk wildfires. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
While visiting the Forest or any of your public lands, please remember to recreate responsibly.
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