The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has eased its restrictions on campfires for parks in western Washington and ocean beaches in the Seashore Conservation Area, effective immediately. Western Washington is considered the region west of the crest of the Cascade Mountain range.

Visitors 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 campgrounds based on their assessment of conditions, which may change quickly. State Parks is asking the public to understand that any park-specific restrictions are made to ensure visitor safety and mitigate risk of wildfires. Park managers may require smaller fires than are normally acceptable.

State parks in or near Federal Way include Dash Point State Park (5700 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal Way) and Saltwater State Park (25205 8th Pl. S., Des Moines), although the latter park disallows campfires at any time throughout the year. To find out the campfire restrictions for all state parks in western Washington near Federal Way, download the burn ban for Northwest Region state parks (http://parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/5656).

Washington State Parks urges campers to be vigilant, despite the wet weather, and to douse campfires until they feel cool to the touch before leaving the campground.

The easing of the burn ban follows the Sept. 1 announcement by the Commissioner of Public Lands and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources that adjusted the current statewide burn ban allowing for recreational campfires in western Washington. That agency has fire protection responsibility for nearly 13 million acres statewide, including most state parks.

The burn ban continues for state parks in Eastern Washington, which are still at risk for wildfires due to dry conditions.

The public is encouraged to visit the individual state parks web pages to learn more about any specific campfire restrictions: http://parks.state.wa.us/281/Parks.