Who doesn’t love having a campfire? It is one of the most iconic aspects of the camping experience. We rely on fires for food, warmth, and happiness.
Whether roasting marshmallows for s’mores or having a laugh with friends and family, fires are a place of comfort. However, with the enjoyment comes the responsibility of following fire safety and ethics.
Know the Rules – When Not to Have a Campfire
Being ethically responsible begins with determining whether or not it is safe to have a fire. Due to varying conditions throughout the year, there are times when having a fire should be skipped entirely.
There are five levels considered by the U.S Forest Service system.
Low/Green – Conditions for fires are good. Maintaining fire control is easy and the risk of spreading is low. Keep in mind that low risk does not mean any risk.
Moderate/Blue – Fire risk is low but accidental fires are more likely.
High/Yellow – Fires can easily start and may spread if left unattended.
Very High/Orange – Avoid starting a fire. Even a small one can quickly get out of control and become hard to extinguish.
Extreme/Red – Avoid starting any fire. Small fires can quickly spread and become very dangerous. These escaped fires can burn for several days or even weeks.
In addition, especially this year, there have been state-wide bans on fire. While those bans don’t necessarily include campfires, it is a good idea to avoid fires when possible during those conditions.
Don’t Move Firewood – Buy Locally
Did you know that it is illegal to bring firewood into some national parks, forests, and lakeshores in Michigan?
Moving firewood from one area to another is a common way for invasive species and diseases to hitch a ride. Even a short distance can put a population of trees at risk.
We have all heard of oak wilt, Emerald Ash Borer Beetles, and Asian Longhorned Beetles. These are a few of the more serious invasive pests out there that are devasting our native tree species.
Avoid adding to the problem. When it comes to firewood, just don’t move it.
Back Country Camping – Collecting Firewood
Leave No Trace says it best when it comes to collecting firewood – follow the four D’s.
Dead – Use wood from dead trees only. Leave the living trees alone.
Down – Wood already on the ground is the best for burning. Standing trees, even if dead, are poor choices. They provide shelter for wildlife and can help prevent soil erosion.
Dinky – Collect wood that is about the width of your arm or smaller. Large logs and fallen trees are still playing an important role in the ecosystem. Not only do they provide shelter for wildlife and fungi, but as they decay, they provide nutrients back into the soil and feed the future of the forest.
Distant – Cover a large area when searching for dead and down wood to reduce the amount of “overpicking” in popular areas.
Keep It Small
While everyone enjoys a roaring fire, keeping the fire small has many benefits. Smaller fires are easier to control and are easier to extinguish. They also require less fuel which means less impact on the area.
Never make a fire larger than what you need it for.
Properly Extinguish the Fire
Unattended fires can quickly get out of control. Properly extinguishing a fire is the best way to prevent a disastrous event.
Allow the fire to burn down completely to ash. Keeping the fire small and using dinky wood can help make this easier.
Once the fire has burnt down, pour water on it and drown all of the embers. Continue pouring until the hissing stops.
Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel and scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers. Continue to stir until everything is wet and cold to the touch.
The USDA recommends using dirt or sand as an alternative to water. Mix the dirt and sand with the embers and stir. Continue adding and stirring until all materials are cool.
Be Responsible
Remember that if you start a fire, you are responsible for the control of that fire.
Before, during, and after.
This includes the safety of the wildlife, people, and the land in the surrounding area.
Visit Recreation.gov for more information on Campfire Safety.