Big Elk Guard Station

Effective July 17, 2026, the Rogue River-Siskiyou has implemented Stage 3 public use (fire) restrictions.

Before you head out on your adventure, make sure you're aware of the current restrictions for the area you'll be visiting.

NOTE: The Wild and Scenic Lower Rogue River has separate fire restrictions.

Learn More

To learn more about public use fire restrictions and what they mean, please visit our website:

Public Use Fire Restrictions 

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest lands, roads, and trails within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, as shown in Exhibits A through I. This Order is effective at 00:01am July 17th, 2026, through November 30, 2026, unless rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove except:
   1. When using commercial stoves or campfires within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest that are fueled by pressurized liquid fuel or propane. (See Exemption #3)
   2. When using commercial stoves fired by liquid fuel or propane in designated recreation sites, which are listed and identified in Exhibits A through I. (See Exemption #3) [36 CFR § 261.52(a)]
2. Using an explosive. [36 CFR § 261.52(b)]
3. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. [36 CFR § 261.52(h)]
4. Smoking outside, except: [36 CFR § 261.52(d)]
   a. Within an enclosed vehicle, building, or developed recreation site.
   b. While aboard a watercraft while navigating or at rest on a waterway.
5. Operating an internal combustion engine including persons with a valid Forest Service 2026 Forest Products Removal Permit (fuelwood permit), with the following exceptions: [36 CFR § 261.52(g)]
   a. While on a motor vehicle on Forest Development Roads or within designated parking areas.
   b. While aboard watercraft while navigating or at rest on a waterway.
   c. While using generators with approved spark arrestors, in designated recreation sites as listed on Exhibit A through I
   in a clear area at least five feet from any flammable material. (See Exemption #4)
   d. While on roads and trails identified in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map and Prospect OHV Trail/Road System Map.

STAGE 3 EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Persons with a Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically exempting them from this order.
2. Any Federal, State, or local official, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Persons in designated recreation sites listed in Exhibit A-I, using a portable stove, which is solely fueled by pressurized liquid and has a shut-off valve, or a generator with an approved spark arrestor, in a cleared area at least five feet from any flammable material.
4. Persons with a valid Forest Service 2026 Forest Products Removal Permit (fuelwood permit) are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. Persons using an electric chainsaws is allowed for the collection of personal fuelwood between the hours of 8PM and 1PM following a required thirty-minute fire watch. When conducting a fire watch, the watchman must be physically capable of remaining on duty for the purposes of extinguishing a potential fire. The watchman must remain at the site for 30-minutes after the shutdown of the last power-driven equipment, while patrolling and visually inspecting all sites where work was performed.
5. Persons with a valid Forest Service 2026 Forest Products Removal Permit (fuelwood permit) are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 USC § 551; 18 USC § 3559 and 18USC § 3571 and 3581). 

Executed in Medford, OR this 16th day of July 2026.

Exhibit A

SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS RANGER DISTRICT 

• Acorn Woman Lake Campground 
• Watkins Campground 
• Jackson Campground 
• Acorn Woman Peak Lookout 
• Beaver Sulphur Campground 
• McKee Bridge Day Use Area 
• Carberry Campground 
• Seattle Bar Day Use 
• Hart-Tish Campground 
• Wrangle Camp 
• Flumet Flat Campground 

HIGH CASCADES RANGER DISTRICT 

• Farewell Bend Campground 
• Union Creek Campground 
• Union Creek Resort 
• Natural Bridge Campground 
• Jim Creek Group Campground 
• Woodruff OHV Area 
• Union Rogue Baptist Camp 
• River Bridge Campground 
• Mill Creek Campground 
• Imnaha Campground 
• Imnaha Guard Station 
• South Fork Campground 
• Whiskey Springs Campground 
• Willow Prairie Horse Camp 
• Willow Prairie Cabin 
• Fish Lake Resort 
• Fish Lake Campground 
• Doe Point Campground 
• North Fork Campground 
• Big Elk Guard Station 
• Latgawa Methodist Camp 
• Daley Creek Campground 
• Beaver Dam Group Campground 

WILD RIVERS RANGER DISTRICT 

• Sam Brown Campground & Day Use Area 
• Sam Brown Horse Camp 
• Cedar Campground  
• Spalding Pond 
• Echo Beach Campground 
• Six Mile Campground 
• River Bench 
• Store Gulch Campground 
• Josephine Creek Campground 
• Little Falls Campground 
• Grayback Campground & Day Use Area 
• Chinquapinn Group Camp 
• Bolan Lake Campground  

GOLD BEACH RANGER DISTRICT 

• Quosatana Creek Campground 
• Foster Bar Campground 
• Lobster Creek Campground 
• Ludlum House 
• Wildhorse Campground 
• Myrtle Grove Campground 
• Sru Lake Campground 
• Daphne Grove Campground 

POWERS RANGER DISTRICT 

• Island Campground 
• Butler Bar Campground 
• Sunshine Bar Campground 
• Rock Creek Campground 
• Laird Lake Campground