Gregg Boydston - Fire Safety
We all enjoy a nice campfire to wind down at night on one of our adventures. But there is some serious responsibility that comes with that. As someone who spends a lot of downtime outside, camping, traveling, crushing s’mores, and keeping my pals warm, I get it. We always want one! But, as someone who goes to a fire station for work for the last 10 years, I also understand how important it is to do all of that properly.
I wanted to leave a few highlighted tips here for ya, to make sure your camp can have the best campfire around, but also make sure we aren’t evacuating that area the next day when you leave due to a wildfire.
1. Check fire restrictions before leaving on your trip. The best way to do this is to know where you are going and be able to decipher what kind of land, park, forest, or area it is you plan to camp in. With that information, you can go to their website and specifically check fire restrictions. Especially when it is Forest Service or BLM land. For example; here is a link to the BLM restrictions for various areas: https:// www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info
2. Bring the right tools for the job. You should always have a shovel and means to drown the fire – whether it be a bucket, big pot, or anything better than a water bottle from your ice chest.
3. Prep your campfire area before settling in and lighting it. You should be clearing out any nearby grass, weeds, leaves, or anything that your nice caveman television can ignite accidentally. Like that nice tree you camped under. Take your shovel and scrape all that stuff away and make a slight hole to surround with rocks. Keep your firewood pile a safe distance away. We all know if you keep it too close or even in the circle, the smoke will go everywhere but there. So you’re going to have to move it anyway for that one clean air spot around the fire! Hah!
4. Know how to properly extinguish your campfire before going to bed or leaving your campsite. “Drown, stir, and feel” is the go to method found here: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/. It’s pretty easy and you can either lay down or move on to your next adventure with confidence. Dump some water on it, stir it around with your shovel. Add some fresh and cool dirt. Pour some more water. Stir some more. When you no longer see smoke or much steam, give it a feel and see if it is cool to the touch. Great job!
5. Lastly, did you know there are certain types of cooking restrictions too in these same scenarios? It’s another form of fire we bring to most campsites and can be dealt with and researched in many of the same ways. Check stove styles and restrictions before going. Many times, a charcoal grill is restricted where campfires are, and you may have to resort to only a propane stove. If you are using a charcoal set up, your responsibility is very similar to above. If you are using a propane stove, a couple things you can do to stay on top of it all is: turn off your propane bottles when not in use, unscrew bottles, hoses, and the like, and be aware of wind, grease splatters, and yes of course – where you dump your charcoal when you are done whipping up those hot dogs and hamburgers.
It all seems very simple and a lot of it is common sense, but after being a part of both worlds for such a fair amount of time, I can see the disconnect. From living in an area people flock to for these types of getaways, to seeing some disappointing things when I drive up to my camp for the night, to working on wildfires all over the west – I know these basics are something that some are still unaware of. Actually, about 85% of wildfires are human caused. Isn’t that wild!? Of course “human caused” incorporates a couple more things outside of poor campfire etiquette, but I assure you they are in that number in strong fashion. Please reach out if you have any questions and I appreciate you doing your part to stay responsible in doing what it is we all enjoy. Lets put in a little extra work to allow for less restrictions and more of these very special nights, weekends, trips, getaways, and whatever it is you enjoy out there!