When you’re out backpacking or camping, it is nice to have a cozy campfire at the end of the day.
Not only does it provide warmth when camping in the cold, it also gives you a way to cook meals over the fire, and a relaxing campsite vibe.
As great as they are though, campfires can still be dangerous without proper precautions.
In this guide, you’ll learn some essential campfire safety tips to help prevent forest fires and keep your trip safe and enjoyable.
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Does Campfire Safety Matter Really Matter?
Campfire safety is a key part of leaving no trace when you camp.
It is our job to protect the environment for the next generation of hikers and campers.
In dry or windy conditions, wildfires can start quickly, and often, forest fires start from an unattended fire source.
Fire safety helps preserve nature, protect wildlife, and keep campsites clean.
1.) Choose the Right Fire Location
Choosing the right spot to build your fire is crucial to fire safety.
Always remember to:
- Use designated fire rings when they are available (or bring your own portable fire pit)
- Keep fires a safe distance (15 feet or so) from tents and trees
- Burn in an area clear of debris
- Don’t build fires during fire bans or high fire risk areas
2.) Keep Your Fire Small
A small to medium sized fire is what you should be striving for, especially when dispersed camping in national forests.
Large fires can get out of control, and they tend to throw off more stray sparks than smaller fires do.
Your fire is meant to be used for warmth and cooking; there is generally no good reason to build a mega fire.
Keep your fire manageable as much as possible.
3.) Never Leave Your Fire Unattended
Leaving a fire unattended, even for a couple minutes, can cause serious damage in the wrong conditions.
Wind can pick up quickly and without warning, carrying embers off to catch fire in other spots (this is how forest fires are often started).
Make sure you know how to fully extinguish your fire before you leave your camp.
4.) Always Have Water on Hand (or Dirt)
Always have a source of water nearby when you are burning in the woods and know how to cut off a fire if it starts to spread out of control.
Dirt can be a good alternative for smothering flames as well, so bring a camping shovel with you if you can fit it in your backpack.
This is especially important if you need to preserve your fresh drinking water for a backpacking trip.
Tossing dirt on top of your campfire will suffocate the flame and deprive the fire of the oxygen it needs to keep burning.
5.) Always Check Weather Conditions
How well your fire burns (or doesn’t burn) depends greatly on the weather before and during your trip.
Rainy conditions mean your wood won’t burn well, but dry conditions mean a higher overall fire risk level.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find the happy middle.
Check the weather and local advisories prior to your trip so you can be prepared.
6.) If Conditions Aren’t Safe, Skip the Fire
Sometimes the best fire is not making a fire at all.
In dry weather or no-burn zones, you may not be able to have an open fire, so try using a portable stove or jet boil to cook your meals instead.
Battery-powered lanterns can provide the light required for you to see clearly, and extra layers can replace the warmth you would have received from your campfire.
The ability to adapt to various conditions is an important skill for campers to have.
7.) Avoid Using Accelerants
I understand it can be tempting to use gasoline or lighter fluid to get your fire going, but I highly recommend trying to light your fire naturally instead.
Accelerants can be toxic and tend to spread quickly, opening you up to unnecessary risks.
Learn how to build a natural fire and take the time to appreciate the art form that is involved in keeping your fire going.
Camping is designed to be an activity that slows you down, the world is fast enough as it is.
Final Thoughts on Fire Safety
Campfires are a timeless part of camping and backpacking, but they come with their fair share of responsibility.
By following general fire safety rules, we reduce the risk of wildfires and damage to the ecosystems around us.
Keeping Earth clean is a mission that we are all a part of, whether we choose to be or not.
Always keep your fire manageable, prioritize safety, and most importantly, have fun.
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