Campfire Safety Tips

A campfire is one of the best parts of camping. It is also one of the most common causes of wildfire and campsite incidents. These rules are simple and take almost no extra effort once they become habit.

Before you build a fire

Check for fire bans first. Many areas have seasonal burn restrictions. Check with the ranger station, the campground host, or the land agency's website before you assume fires are allowed. A fire ban is not a suggestion.

Use the existing fire ring. Almost every developed campsite has a designated fire ring or fire pit. Use it. Building a new ring damages ground cover and creates a scar that takes years to recover. If there is no ring, build the fire on bare mineral soil, never on leaf litter or duff.

Clear a buffer. Nothing flammable should be within 10 feet of the fire — tents, gear, clothing, dry grass. Sparks travel farther than people expect, especially with any wind.

Building and managing the fire

• Keep fires small. A small fire is easier to control, produces less smoke, and leaves less ash.
• Gather only dead, downed wood. Standing wood — even dead standing trees — is part of the ecosystem. Collecting it is also often prohibited in parks.
• Never leave a fire unattended. Wind picks up fast, and a fire that looks contained can spread in minutes.
• Keep a bucket or large water bottle near the fire at all times.
• Do not burn trash, plastic, or treated wood. The smoke is toxic and the ash is contaminated.

When fire is not an option

During dry conditions, wind advisories, or active fire bans, a camp stove is the right tool. A two-burner propane stove gives you everything a campfire does for cooking without the risk. It also means you can cook when fires are not allowed, which is an increasing part of camping in the western United States.

Putting the fire out completely

This step gets skipped or rushed more than any other. A fire that is not completely out is a fire that is still active.

1. Stop adding fuel at least 30 minutes before you plan to sleep or leave.
2. Let the wood burn down to ash as much as possible.
3. Pour water over the fire — more than you think you need. You should hear it hiss.
4. Stir the ash and coals with a stick. Pour more water.
5. Stir again. Pour again.
6. Hold your hand a few inches above the ash. If you feel any heat at all, the fire is not out. Repeat.

The test is simple: if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

If a fire starts spreading

• Do not panic. Yell for help immediately.
• Smother small fires with dirt or sand — do not fan them by beating with clothing.
• If the fire is beyond a campfire ring, call 911 and get people away from the area.
• Leave your gear. Do not go back for it.

The vast majority of campfire incidents are preventable. Build small, watch it, and put it all the way out.