Campfire Safety Tips
Campfires are a great part of the outdoor camping experience. They are, however, also potentially devastating to forests, and should be treated with respect and caution. This page covers some basic campfire safety tips to remember on your next outing.
DON'T BECOME COMPLACENT AROUND FIRE:
- Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a short while.
- Never leave children unattended around a campfire.
CAMPFIRE SITE PREPARARTION:
- When selecting your campfire site, choose an area clear of flammable vegetation, such as dry grass, dead leaves, or downed branches/other potential fire fuels.
- If available, use pre-existing fire rings/pits. Make sure that these comply with the "no nearby flammable vegetation" safety standard.
- Before building your fire, take note of wind conditions. Do not build a fire if winds will create a potential fire hazard. Do not locate your fire in an area where winds can blow sparks into flammable materials/vegetation.
- Be sure to have the following items on hand:
- Shovel
- Bucket of Water
BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR FIRE:
- Make sure your fire is "dead out" before leaving it. Pour water on your fire, stir up the hot coals and burnt material, add more water, then feel for residual heat. Repeat if necessary until fire is "dead out."
illustrations: Ian Keusink