Campfire & Fire Permits —
Complete Guide 2026
Campfire permits are required on US Forest Service, BLM, and many state lands. During high fire danger periods, open fires may be prohibited entirely. Learn when permits are needed, how to get them for free, and how fire restrictions work across federal and state land systems.
Four Key Facts About Fire Permits
When Are Campfire Permits Required?
Campfire permit requirements vary significantly between land management agencies and specific locations. The US Forest Service administers 193 million acres across 154 national forests and grasslands, and requirements differ district-by-district. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) covers 245 million acres in 12 western states with similarly variable rules.
As a general rule, a campfire permit is required when you intend to light any open fire — including campfires, warming fires, or fires used for cooking — outside of a designated campground with established fire rings. If you are camping in a developed Forest Service campground with permanent metal fire rings, you typically do not need a separate permit, as the campsite fee covers fire use.
When required:
- Dispersed camping in national forests outside of designated campgrounds (most common scenario)
- Camping on BLM land outside of developed recreation areas
- Day hiking with a camp stove in certain high-use wilderness areas
- Any open fire during the general fire permit season (typically May 1 – December 1 in most western forests)
Even with a valid permit, fires may be prohibited if the land management agency has declared active fire restrictions (Stage 1 or Stage 2). A permit does not override a restriction order — always check current conditions at the ranger district or online before lighting any fire.
Important: Even with a valid permit, fires may be prohibited if the land management agency has declared active fire restrictions (Stage 1 or Stage 2). A permit does not override a restriction order — always check current conditions at the ranger district or online before lighting any fire.
Fire Restriction Levels Explained
Federal land agencies use a standardized restriction framework, though the exact definitions can vary slightly by state and agency. Understanding restriction levels helps you plan what cooking equipment to bring:
How to Obtain a Campfire Permit
Campfire permits for dispersed use on national forests and BLM land are always free. The process is straightforward, though the specific method varies by location:
- Online: The USFS California permit portal at preventwildfireca.org handles permits for all California national forests. Other regions may use recreation.gov or the forest's own website.
- Ranger District Office: Stop in at the local ranger station in person. Staff can issue permits, brief you on current conditions, and give you maps of fire-sensitive zones.
- Trailhead Kiosks: Some high-use trailheads in California, Oregon, and Washington have self-issue permit stations where you fill out a form and take a copy.
- Recreation.gov: Increasingly, fire permits are integrated with wilderness permits on recreation.gov for areas requiring both.
When obtaining your permit, you will typically be asked to provide your name, dates of travel, campsites or general area, and to acknowledge that you understand current fire restrictions and safe campfire procedures. The process takes about 5 minutes online.
Leave No Trace Campfire Principles
Even when campfires are permitted, Leave No Trace (LNT) principles encourage minimizing fire impacts. Use established fire rings rather than building new rings. Keep fires small. Never leave a fire unattended. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished — cold to the touch — before leaving camp or sleeping. Pack out all charcoal and ash in fire-impacted environments above treeline or in desert zones where organic material is scarce.