The North Cascades National Park is hitting the brakes on campfires just in time for the July 4 holiday weekend. That’s right—no more crackling flames and smoky s’mores! Starting July 3, a full campfire ban will be enforced across the National Park Service Complex, which includes the breathtaking North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan. The ban is primarily due to the dry spring conditions and warm weather that have turned up the heat on fire dangers.

While it’s a bummer for those looking to roast marshmallows under the stars, the rules do allow for some alternatives. You can still fire up those pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, grills, and lanterns—just make sure they have an on/off valve to keep things under control. Imagine explaining that to your camping friends: “Sorry, your hot dogs have to wait. We can grill them, just no open flames!” The National Park Service is urging everyone to be cautious and report any smoke or flames, so keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious signs in the wilderness.

So, what’s the deal? Are campfires worth risking the wilderness? Safety’s got to come first, but it’s definitely a letdown for summer gatherings. Maybe it’s time to get creative with your camp cooking. What’s your favorite campfire treat? Let me guess, it involves chocolate and graham crackers, right? Let’s hope this ban doesn’t last forever—otherwise, we might have to start a petition for ‘s’mores creativity’ to become a new summer pastime!

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