John Brewer on Fire Safety While Camping

One of the most enjoyable activities in camping is building a fire. While having a fire is fun, it’s also important to remember that building and maintaining a fire is a responsibility everyone should take seriously. Unfortunately, many people in the U.S. start wildfires because they don’t know how to properly build and maintain a fire. Here are some must-know tips for the safe and responsible use of fire.

Read Up on the Rules

Before you start planning a fire, it’s important to make sure that you know the fire regulations in the area where you’re going to camp. For instance, if the area is prone to wildfires, a campground might have a temporary ban on open fires.

Use a Fire Pit

Most campsites have fire rings or pits designed to allow people to build a fire. If the campground doesn’t have a fire pit, you should dig one in an open area away from power lines, branches, and other hazards that could cause a fire. After the pit has been dug, circle it with rocks to ensure it’s not covered in vegetation that could catch fire.

Build a Fire Safely

After your fire pit is in place, start the fire using dried leaves or grass. Next, add small sticks and twigs to the fire. As the fire burns, large pieces of wood will add to the fire to provide additional heat and keep it burning for a longer time. A small fire surrounded by rocks can also produce enough heat to cook food and warm up the area.

Be Careful With Matches

Before disposing of the match, make sure that it’s completely extinguished. Also, avoid using lighter fluid, gasoline, or kerosene to start a fire.

Use Firewood From Your Immediate Surroundings

While it may not look like it, wood products such as firewood can carry diseases and insects that can affect trees. If you’re planning on camping several hours away and decide to bring firewood, you might unknowingly introduce these pests into the forests where they were previously not found.

It’s important to use local firewood, as it’s the nearest convenient source of wood. If you can’t find a local store, you can usually pick up your supplies from campsites or other nearby locations.

Have Water

Before starting a fire, make sure you have a shovel and a bucket of water nearby. The water can be used to put out any runaway flames, while the shovel can be used to clean the area around the fire pit. Also, keep a few feet of the ground around the fire pit watered down to prevent stray flames from jumping outside the area.

Watch the Wind

A strong wind can easily spread your fire, and it can also turn it into a wildfire. To prevent this, keep all of your camping equipment and other flammable materials away from the fire pit.

Keep Track of Children and Pets

In addition to the risk of wildfires, it’s also important to keep in mind the hazards of camping, especially when it comes to fires. In the U.S., fires caused by open fires are the leading cause of injuries to children. Before you leave, make sure that you have a plan in place to teach your kids about the dangers of fire.

Make Sure to Watch the Fire

Never leave the fire unattended, as a small breeze can quickly ignite it. Having at least one person watching over the fire at all times should help prevent it from spreading. If you leave the fire unattended for a short period of time, such as during a quick hike, it should be extinguished.

Extinguish the Flames Properly

Make sure that your fire is completely extinguished. Before you leave the fire unattended, make sure that it’s cool to touch. Large logs are more difficult to put out, so make sure that they are soaked in water.

To check for hidden burning debris beneath the surface of the fire, move the stones around it. Also, don’t leave the coals from the fire burning.

Originally published at https://johnbrewerlaw.org on November 28, 2022.