Campfire Safety During Drought
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It’s been a dry, hot camping season in most of the country, especially where I live in California. The “Governator” is already warning us of lower than expected water levels and the need for conservation. That makes our beloved camping areas very susceptible to fires. So, as campers we need to pay special attention to our campfires. Most developed campgrounds have well-established campfire rings or pits in their campsites however, you should still be aware of a few wise safety rules when you make a campfire:
- Always clear a five-foot area around the fire ring down to the soil, so leaping sparks can’t start a ground fire.
- Keep a bucket of water and a shovel close by
- Pile your wood upwind and away from the fire. This may be difficult in a shifting wind area, but just make sure wood is far away from the campfire
- Never leave a campfire unattended
Lastly, the most important part is putting your fire out after you’ve enjoyed having marshmallows and telling spooky stories. Allow the fire to burn down to ash and very small coals. Pour plenty of water on the ambers and stir the ashes until they are soaked through. You can tell when the fire is completely extinguished when you can safely put your hand in the coals. This Boy Scout method kind of makes you want to make doubly sure that you put enough water on the fire. 
sqdirect » Blog Archive » Campfire Safety During Drought said,
October 25, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
[…] You can read more here […]
3 Secrets To Warm Camping | TheCampingGuy.com Blog | Camping Tips said,
January 26, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
[…] The Traditional Campfire This age old tradition, when done safely, is a great experience and creates mood and atmosphere for your campsite. Start your campfire right by raking and removing all dead wood and leaves in a ten-foot radius around your fire pit. If you don’t have a fire pit, then create one by removing the first 3 inches of dirt or so. Place a bed of coals or rocks in it and top with your clean, dry wood. Fire-starter bricks are safest and easiest to use in starting the fire but they catch fire easily, so keep them put away when not in use. Don’t forget to keep an extinguisher on-hand for emergencies and a shovel to help restore your campsite when you leave. More campfire safety tips. […]