Campfire Safety

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2017, 63,546 wildfires were caused by humans and burned nearly 5 million acres. Below are some tips to follow to ensure you and your family have a safe and fun camping experience.

• Most parks have campfire pits ready and waiting for you but if they don't dig a small pit away from tent walls, shrubs, trees, or other flammable objects and circle it with rocks. Also make sure you clear a five foot area around the pit down to the soil.
• Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Stack extra wood upwind and away from the fire.
• Never leave a campfire unattended, not even for a minute.
• Do not build a campfire if the campground, area, or event rules prohibit them.
• Do not build a campfire in hazardous, dry conditions.
• Do not use flammable liquid to ignite your fire such as gasoline, lighter fluid, diesel fuel, and other dangerous liquids. This will help prevent serious accidents and injuries.
• When extinguishing the fire, make sure to drown the fire completely with water. Burying the coals can keep them hot so instead you should pour water and stir the ashes and embers until it is clear that they have all been cooled.

Have a safe and fun summer!