It should come as no surprise to anyone that out-of-control campfires are one of the leading causes of wildfires these days, especially in the Sierra. Because of that, we feel that it’s necessary to make a guide on the top campfire safety tips that everyone should know about. If you are planning a camping trip any time soon, it would be quite beneficial to check this article out.
Use a Fire Pit
Generally speaking, people will use fire pits when they have them, but of course, there will be plenty of times when that’s not an option. However, that doesn’t mean you can start up a campfire wherever you please. You need to find a space to dig up your own fire pit. Be sure to keep it away from bushes and low-hanging trees so that you don’t have to worry about a stray spark igniting them.
Once you find a good spot, dig out the grass and any other flammable parts of nature, and surround your pit with rocks for an additional layer of protection.
Watch the Wind
When building your fire pit, something else to keep in mind is how bad the wind is and which direction it’s coming from. Strong breezes can take sparks far away and start a blaze in a place you couldn’t have anticipated. If you can find a site that’s blocked from the wind, that would be best, but if you can’t, just be sure to keep a watchful eye on rogue sparks.
Never Leave It Unattended
Once you’ve got your campfire up and going, never leave it unattended. Flames can be unpredictable, so if you’re not there to stop a problem before it gets out of hand, you could have an out-of-control fire on your hands in no time. Plus, if you have children or pets around, you’ll want to ensure that they don’t get burned while playing, so you’ll want to be there for their benefit, too.
Keep Some Water Nearby
Even if you are watching the flames the entire time, something can always go wrong. Having a bucket of water nearby is essential to make sure that you have the ability to stop the fire in an instant if needed. On top of that, you can use some of that water to dampen the ground around your pit. That way, if a spark pops out, it will have a much harder time catching something on fire.
Put It Out Entirely
The top campfire safety tip that everyone should know is making sure that you put the fire out completely when you’re finished with it. More wildfires start because of this reason than any others. Just because the flames are gone doesn’t mean the fire is out. Glowing embers can still ignite again, and they stay hot for a long time. If you still have that bucket of water, now is the best time to use it, but you can stamp them out as well if you have a tough pair of shoes on.
Know The Rules Of the Area
Of course the first rule, is to know the rules. Int he Sierra there are many locations that fires are banned. Desolation wilderness for example banned all fires over 20 years ago. Fires over 9000 ft in elevation are typically banned in all of the Sierra and Northern California regions. California Fire Permits are also required in most national forest and wilderness areas that you visit in the Sierra.
