Hood River County Fire Regulations — Updated September 10
With the cooler and more moderate fire weather conditions and in coordination with Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) fire prevention measures, Hood River County will be rescinding its elevated fire prevention protocols, effective 5pm Thursday, September 10, 2026, meaning:
- HRCF gates on Post Canyon, Riordan Hill, Upper Binns Hill, Gilhouley, Neal Creek, and roads are reopened.
- Combustion-engine motorized vehicles are once again permitted on improved County Forest roads (rocked and cleared of vegetation).
- Campfires are only permitted in designated campground fire rings at Kingsley, Tucker & Toll Bridge Campgrounds.
- Dispersed Camping and parking are permitted in the Hood River County Forest in non-day use areas.
The Oregon Dept. of Forestry Regulated Use Closure (RUC) remains in effect in Hood River and Wasco County including:
— All County Forest trails and unimproved roads are closed to combustion-engine motorized vehicle use.
— Prohibits shooting incendiary rounds or explosive targets.
— Prohibits Open campfires throughout the county forest (Except in fire rings at Designated campgrounds: Kingsley, Tucker & Tollbridge)
— Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed throughout the forest.
— Violation of State or Local Fire Prevention Regulations on County Forest carries a fine of $2,000/day.
— The Forestry Department encourages all recreation participants to exercise Firewise caution during the remainder of the 2026 fire season.
Hood River County Fire Regulations — Updated August 25
- Overnight camping is prohibited on the Hood River County Forest between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., except at designated campgrounds: Kingsley, Tucker, and Tollbridge.
- All gates providing access to the county forest are closed, including Post Canyon, Riordan Hill, Upper Binns Hill, and Gilhouley.
- Combustion engine motorized vehicles are prohibited off improved roads and behind all county forest gates.
- All campfires are prohibited.
- Portable stoves and fire pits using liquefied/bottled fuel, in clear areas free of flammable vegetation, are allowed if users have 1 shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher.
The County will announce when these restrictions are no longer in effect.
GRASSHOPPER FIRE — Updated August 13
MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS — Updated July 1
“… All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited per Forest Order across the entire Forest, including in developed campgrounds. Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material. Fireworks and other explosive devices are prohibited on national forests all year long.
Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be switched off instantly…”
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FIRE RESTRICTIONS BEGIN IN HOOD RIVER COUNTY — Updated June 16
Due to increasing wildfire risk and notification from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) that a Regulated Use Closure (RUC) will take effect on June 16, Hood River County is implementing additional fire prevention measures in unincorporated areas of the county and within the County Forest.
Under the authority granted by Ordinance 376, the Hood River County Administrator has prohibited the discharge of fireworks in Hood River County. The prohibition will remain in effect until November 16, or until lifted earlier by Hood River County, consistent with the Ordinance.
Beginning June 16, ODF’s Regulated Use Closure will also impose the following restrictions within
the County Forest:
- Open campfires are prohibited except within designated fire rings at county campgrounds operating under a special waiver.
- Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are permitted.
- All vehicles on County Forest roads must carry either a shovel and at least one gallon of water or a fire extinguisher rated at a minimum of 2.5 pounds.
- Motorized trail use is prohibited on Middle Mountain, Pinemont, and Fir Mountain (Eastside).
- Motorized Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use remains permitted within the Northwest Area Trail System under a special ODF waiver.
As temperatures rise and vegetation dries, the risk of human-caused wildfires increases significantly. Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow all fire restrictions and use caution when recreating or working outdoors.
To help reduce the likelihood of fire starts, the Oregon Department of Forestry enforces the RUC regulations during fire season. For more information, please visit odfcentraloregon.com
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