According to the National Park Service, all campfires have been banned in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park backcountry. Wildfires are a concern every fall when dry leaves cover the ground. The threat is even higher this year, as the park has been experiencing a drought.

Park visitors are also asked to take extra precautions to avoid the possibility of a wildfire. The park service asks that visitors take extra care when extinguishing cigarettes, pipes, and frontcountry campfires and grills.

Also note, the drought has caused several of the streams that can normally be found in the backcountry to dry up. If you’ve been planning a hike through the stretch of the Appalachian Trail which cuts through the Great Smokies, the campfire ban and the lack of free-running streams should be taken into consideration.