Wildland Fire Safety & Prevention

Learning about fire safety and prevention is the first step to keeping yourself, others, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore safe from accidental wildland fires. While campfires and grill fires are permitted in certain areas of the lakeshore, visitors are encouraged to review fire safety measures, laws, and policies prior to and during their visit. Additional policies and laws can be found in the Superintendent's Compendium.

Fire Safety

Know where you can have a fire. The lighting or maintaining of open fires at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is generally prohibited, except in government-provided metal fire rings and fire grills located at specific sites, or in personal self-contained charcoal grills in a parking lot or on a paved sidewalk.

• Only build a fire with permitted materials.
• Avoid building a campfire when extremely dry and hot (and windy) weather conditions exist.
• Always monitor your fire.
• Be sure to properly and completely put out your fire before leaving it.
• In case of emergency, call 911.

Leave No Trace

Practice the seven Leave No Trace Principles in order to prevent the possibility of wildfires. Consider using a lightweight stove for cooking and smaller lanterns for light instead of a campfire. Properly dispose of trash that may catch on fire. Leaving areas as you found them minimizes the risk of wildland fires.

Resources

Director's Order #18: Wildland Fire Management. This director's order states the basic principles and strategic guidelines governing the management of wildland fire by the National Park Service. January 16, 2008

National Park Service Wildland Fire Strategic Plan for the years 2020-2024

Reference Manual 18 for implementing agency-wide fire management programs for the National Park Service. April 2019

The National Park Service has many programs in place to study, manage, and respond to different types of fires. Visit the National Park Service's fire website to find information about fire science, preparedness, and the difference between structural fires and wildland fires.