| Camping and campfires go hand in hand. It is | | | | Avoid using lighter fluid or other chemicals to start |
| difficult to imagine going camping without building a | | | | your fire. These fuels are dangerous to use in the |
| fire to roast marshmallows over and to tell ghost | | | | wilderness. They can unexpectedly flare up and |
| stories around. Without proper safety etiquette, | | | | catch your clothing on fire. Instead just use a |
| your campfire could turn your camping trip into a | | | | lighter or match to ignite your kindling. Do not |
| disaster. | | | | discard any used matches until they are cool to |
| Choosing a Safe Location For Your Campfire | | | | the touch. |
| Most commercial campgrounds already have | | | | It can be tempting to build a large bonfire instead |
| preexisting fire rings to use. Unless the fire ring is | | | | of a reasonably sized campfire. Resist the |
| in a dangerous spot, you should build your fire | | | | temptation and put safety first. A large fire will |
| there. The campground owners have likely already | | | | emit more potentially hazardous sparks. These |
| deemed this as a safe location to build a fire. The | | | | sparks from a large fire are capable to drifting |
| fire ring will help contain sparks and prevent your | | | | further away than sparks from a small fire. Also it |
| fire from spreading. | | | | can be much more difficult to extinguish a large |
| If your campsite does not have a fire ring, you | | | | fire. |
| will need to create one. First find a spot that | | | | Maintaining a Safe Campfire |
| meets these criteria: | | | | While your campfire is burning, never leave it |
| - downwind at least 5 feet away from your tent | | | | unattended! Despite other safety precautions, |
| and firewood | | | | your campfire could spread from your fire pit. |
| - away from trees, bushes, logs, stumps and | | | | You need to be around to ensure your campfire |
| overhanging branches | | | | doesn't spread. |
| - away from dry grass and forest debris | | | | Be careful of what you burn in your campfire. Try |
| - away from any other flammable items | | | | to stick to manageable pieces of firewood that |
| If your campsite does have a fire ring already, | | | | easily fit within your fire pit. It is not a good idea |
| check if it meets the above criteria too. The | | | | to burn large logs that stick out past your fire pit. |
| landscape around your campsite could have | | | | Also avoid burning fresh branches that give off |
| changed since the fire ring was initially built. There | | | | excess sparks. |
| might now be a branch that overhangs the | | | | Properly Extinguishing Your Campfire |
| current fire ring. | | | | Before you go to sleep or when you leave the |
| Preparing Your Campfire Area | | | | campsite, you must fully extinguish your campfire. |
| Once you have chosen where to build your | | | | First, douse the flames by pouring water on the |
| campfire, you need to ensure that the area is | | | | fire. You are not done yet though. Just because |
| completely clear of anything that could ignite. It is | | | | you can't see flames, it does not mean the fire |
| best to clear the ground right down to the soil | | | | cannot reignite itself. There are usually still hot |
| within about 5 feet of your fire pit. Surrounding | | | | embers that will continue smoldering for hours. To |
| twigs and dry leaves could easily catch fire from | | | | deal with the embers, stir the coals and add more |
| a wayward spark. | | | | water. Then cover the coals with dirt or sand. |
| Next dig a shallow pit about 2 feet across and | | | | Conclusion |
| encircle this pit with a ring of medium sized rocks. | | | | It is far too easy for a campfire to spread |
| These rocks should be placed snuggly together | | | | becoming a forest fire. When you are camping, it |
| without any gaps where sparks could fly through. | | | | is your responsibility to protect the forest from |
| Remove any small, loose stones from the pit that | | | | your campfire. Follow these simple campfire |
| could potentially explode from the fire's heat. | | | | safety rules and use your common sense. |
| Before you begin building your campfire, make | | | | Sometimes it simply is not safe to have a |
| sure you have equipment on hand to extinguish | | | | campfire at all. If the forest is too dry and forest |
| your fire. You will need a large bucket of water | | | | fire danger is high, there is often a ban on |
| and a shovel. Keep these things close enough to | | | | campfires. Respect these bans as they are for |
| your fire pit that they are quickly accessible in an | | | | your own safety. Strong winds make for |
| emergency. If the ground around your campsite is | | | | dangerous campfire conditions too. So use your |
| too hard to shovel, also keep a bucket of sand or | | | | own judgment if necessary. Do what you can to |
| dirt nearby. | | | | protect our forests. |
| Safely Igniting Your Campfire | | | | |