Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for the Cherokee National Forest begin Friday

U.S. Forest Service – Cherokee National Forest

USDA Forest Service officials will initiate Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Cherokee National Forest beginning Friday, April 24, 2026 in response to extreme fire danger due to prolonged drought.

The restrictions will prohibit fires outside of developed recreation sites.

Effective April 24, 2026, the following fire restrictions are in place for the entire Cherokee National Forest until terminated by the Forest Service:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire outside of developed recreation sites.  36CFR § 261.52 (a).

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following activities are allowed:

• Commercially available fuel stoves (portable gas camp stoves or grills) are permitted.
• Fire or campfire in a Forest Service provided metal fire pit, metal fire ring, or pole mounted grill at a developed recreation area or campground.