Recent rains and cooler temperatures have eased restrictions on campfires in western Washington.

Effective Sept. 2, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reduced campfire restrictions west of the Cascade Mountains.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission followed suit, easing restrictions on campfires for parks in western Washington and ocean beaches in the state Seashore Conservation Area.

People may now use wood and charcoal in approved state park fire pits only. Propane or gas cook stoves and gas-powered fire pits have been allowed in most parks during the campfire ban.

Park managers have the discretion to restrict campfires in these campgrounds based on their assessment of conditions, which may change quickly. Park managers may require smaller fires than are normally acceptable.

In Jefferson County, the comprehensive burn ban has been lifted. The normal summertime burn ban on the burning of yard debris (e.g., branches, limbs) remains in place until further notice, according to East Jefferson Fire Rescue. However, campfires in fire pits or other devices designed to hold fires as well as charcoal barbecue grills are now allowed, in both the county and the city of Port Townsend.

Open burning is never allowed with the city limits of Port Townsend. Burning garbage is illegal all the time, in both city and county.

ONP WILDFIRE STATUS

Cooler weather and rainfall has significantly dampened, although not extinguished, wildfire activity within Olympic National Park.

The four wildfires are not out, and depending on weather and fire activity, smoke may be seen at times throughout the surrounding valleys and within the Olympic Peninsula, the National Park Service reported Sept. 4. Unless there is some indication of a new blaze, people are asked not to call in to report the existing fires.

All trail closures remain in effect until further notice. Visitors near the fire areas need to be cautious, and know that walking through recently burnt areas is not safe. Trails affected are an 8-mile section of the Elwha River. The trail remains closed from Hayes River Ranger Station to Chicago Camp. The Hayden Pass Trail remains closed from Dose Meadows at the east to the junction with the Elwha River Trail at the west. Also, caution is advised while hiking the Quinault River Trail near the Ignar Creek Fire.

There are no additional campfire restrictions within the Olympic National Park.

Learn more about the Godkin, Hayes, Cox Valley and Ignar fires by checking inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4906.