SPOKANE, Wash. — Labor Day Weekend is always a busy one for campers, but it's important to note that the warmer weather and fire season is not over yet.
"The biggest thing is just to know your escape routes," Linda Memmer said.
Memmer is from Tucson, Arizona, coming up to the Inland Northwest to camp at Bowl and Pitcher and volunteer for Washington State Parks.
After years of recreating, Memmer knows watching the weather is key, especially with wildfires sparking still being a possibility across the Inland Northwest.
"This time of the year is usually very dry, and no campfires are allowed," Memmer said.
No campfires are allowed due to the risk of unwanted sparks, and the holiday weekend is riskier than previous days.
"We are going to see those warming conditions this weekend going into next week, despite, you know, maybe things have been a bit cooler," Thomas Kyle-Milwards, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, said.
Kyle-Milward said the last holiday weekend for many families is not one exempt from fire danger.
"Until we see the temperature match the calendar, we're keeping vigilant ourselves and asking the public to stay vigilant as well," Kyle-Milward said.
It's being vigilant like Memmer.
"The biggest thing is just knowing your surroundings," Memmer said.
Like the surrounding fire danger at a high at the park, campers are being told to utilize gasoline or propane if camping, not wood or charcoal which could risk spreading across and up trees.
"Even if you're smoking, if you smoke a cigarette, put it out that kind of thing," Memmer said.
While many will be excited for the holiday weekend, it's just as important to be cautious.
"Most of them, this is it," Memmer said. "Especially people with families, because the school year starts. So, we expect it to be completely full."