Keep a cold campfire this NW summer

This July marks the start of wildfire season 2023. The west side of the North Cascades is getting drier and drier, so the Department of Natural Resources needs everyone’s help to prevent wildfires.

After holiday weekends, the Department of Natural Resources says they tend to see an uptick in small fires at campgrounds, especially after popular holidays like the Fourth of July.

“If anyone sees smoke, please call 911 right away, we really appreciate any help from the public," said Janet Pearce with Washington's Department of Natural Resources.

Pearce said all it takes is a tiny spark to ignite a wildfire, so it’s important to be vigilant. If a fire is still smoldering, a little bit of wind can grab a spark and ignite a wildfire. If it’s a strong wind, a spark can travel more than a mile.

"We really want people to be extremely cautious when lighting any campfire or fireworks [this time of year]," Pearce said.

The fire season could be extended depending on the weather through September or October. If you plan to camp this summer, one pro tip is to try to put out campfires at night and make sure they are cold to the touch before leaving them unattended (especially while things are so dry). Doing so not only helps prevent wildfires, but also helps keep firefighters safe.