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Fire Danger Spreading Across National Parks In The West

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With the Paradise Fire continuing to grow in the backcountry of Olympic National Park, park officials are implementing a ban on open fires in some parts of the park/NPS

A campfire ban was implemented in parts of Olympic National Park on Thursday, while other national parks in parts of the West were reminding visitors that it's illegal to use fireworks within their boundaries as hot, dry weather continues to push fire danger higher and higher.

“With the driest May and June on record and staff already committed to suppression of the Paradise Fire, we are enacting this fire restriction to conserve our firefighting resources and to help prevent additional fires,” said Olympic Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum, referring to a ban on all open fires in the park’s wilderness backcountry, including all locations along the wilderness coast.

Camp stoves may still be used in the park's wilderness backcountry, park officials said, but should be operated well away from flammable vegetation and forest litter.  

The Paradise fire, meanwhile, had spread to more than 900 acres. "Crews are carefully monitoring its movement and taking suppression actions whenever it is safe to do so.  The objective of keeping the fire east of Bob Creek and north of the Queets River is being met and is expected to continue," a park release said Wednesday.

In Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, officials issued a release Wednesday stating that Teton Interagency fire managers had elevated the fire danger rating to HIGH for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and all of Teton County, Wyoming.

"The potential for fire activity has increased due to drying vegetation combined with higher temperatures, low humidity and brisk afternoon winds," the release said. "The Teton Interagency Fire area typically does not reach high fire danger prior to mid-July. However, several factors led to the early rise in fire danger, including early melt of the winter snowpack, unseasonably warm temperatures, and scant rainfall during the past several days."

Grand Teton officials also reminded the public that fireworks are not permitted in Grand Teton National Park, on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, in Teton or Sublette counties, or on state lands. Possessing or using any kind of fireworks on U.S. Forest Service lands carries a $225 fine and a mandatory court appearance, they noted.

"It is critical that everyone obey the fireworks prohibition, especially given the dry and hot weather conditions predicted for the Jackson Hole area during the coming week and beyond," a release said.

A similar reminder was issued by officials for both Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park in California.

So far this year, Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks have had 11 wildfires, though the blazes combined covered less than 20 acres, a park release sai, adding that "While most of these have been caused by lightning, the potential for a fire to breakout anywhere is extremely high."

“We want to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe Independence Day celebration by visiting our national parks, but leaving firework shows to the professionals,” said Ned Kelleher, chief ranger for the two parks.

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