Starting Thursday, campfires will not be allowed in North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

According to a news release from the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbecue grills will not be allowed.

This ban includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along Highway 20 as well as at Hozomeen and the Stehekin Valley.

The ban is being put in place because of dry, hot weather, which has led to drier fuels and increased fire danger.

The release said the ban should reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

Visitors to the park are asked to use caution when smoking, and to be aware that discharging or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices are always prohibited on federal lands.

The release states that pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, grills or lanterns will be allowed. Such devices must have an on/off switch or valve that can immediately extinguish the flame.