From the editors of The Chronicle

Until lifted, a park-wide fire ban will be in effect in Mount Rainier National Park starting Saturday, August 10.

This ban is intended to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires throughout the park during hot, dry weather and high fire danger. Campfires are prohibited in the park, including at White River Campground, Ohanapecosh Campground, and Cougar Rock Campground.

Campfires and the lighting of wood, briquettes or other fuels in fireplaces, fire bowls and grills are prohibited. The use of portable cooking stoves filled with petroleum, heaters or lanterns with liquid or bottled fuel is permitted provided that these devices can be switched off.

The discharge or use of any type of fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other incendiary devices is strictly prohibited on federal land. If visitors observe smoke or flames in the park or on nearby land, they should call 911 or notify a ranger.

The fire ban supports regional crisis management efforts by reducing the risk of wildfires on park lands, thereby reducing the need to draw on limited fire department resources, the park said.

Current information and any subsequent updates regarding fire bans in Mount Rainier National Park will be posted in the warnings section of the park website at nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

For more information about visiting the park, visit the Mount Rainier National Park website at nps.gov/mora/index.htm.

For current campground information, visit the park’s website. Mount Rainier National Park’s timed reservation system will remain in effect through September 2.