Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced Tuesday that campfires in all state parks ARE prohibited until further notice.

State parks on the island are Deception Pass, Joseph Whidbey, Fort Ebey, Fort Casey and South Whidbey. Campers in state parks will be allowed to use devices that allow for control of combustion, including:

• Propane and liquid gas stoves appropriate for camping and backcountry use
• Propane barbecue devices that do not use solid briquettes
• Propane or pressurized white gas warming devices that have a shield or basen Lava rocks or lava logs may be used in propane grills and barbecues
• Solid fuel citronella or other candles in a metal bucket or glass container

The campfire ban complies with an announcement Monday from Washington State Department of Natural Resources notifying the public of a ban on all outdoor burning of lands protected by the department through Sept. 30.

Prohibiting campfires helps prevent human-caused wildfires during the hot, dry season.