Follow this handy guide to help you safely enjoy an evening around the campfire No camping trip can truly be complete unless you’ve spent at least one night cozying around the flickering flames of a well-built campfire. It’s just one…
Follow this handy guide to help you safely enjoy an evening around the campfire
No camping trip can truly be complete unless you’ve spent at least one night cozying around the flickering flames of a well-built campfire. It’s just one of those classic camping activities that creates lasting memories. But while campfires are awesome for sitting around telling stories and enjoying a laugh with friends and family, fire is never a joke. Especially when you’re out in the bush. So, to make sure your next camping trip is safe for both your family and Mother Nature, here are some top campfire safety tips to follow.
We know you physically can build a campfire, but are you allowed? The first step before you even think about how to make a campfire safely is to find out if you are actually allowed to build one where you plan to camp. If you’re headed to a national park, check the National Parks & Wildlife Services website to check which parks allow campfires. You’ll also want to check if you have to bring firewood. Parks don’t allow you to gather wood, remember? Or if there are dedicated fire pits available or if you need to bring your own.
Another thing to consider is if there are any fire bans in the area or region where you plan to camp. Make sure to check the relevant region’s fire service website to see if there are seasonal or total bans in effect. If fires are prohibited where you plan to go, make sure to follow the rules or run the risk of hefty fines… or even jail!
If you do have to truck in your own wood, make sure it’s dry and free of dirt and debris. Also, check for any kind of pests that may be living in the wood that you wouldn’t want to spread to another region. Make sure to bring enough fuel for your fire too. The last thing you want is to run out of wood just when the night’s chill is setting in. You’ll also want to bring in some kindling and smaller tinder pieces, as well as some fire starting material. Never – ever – use any flammable liquid like petrol on your fire to start it. That’s just plain dangerous.
If you’re in a place where you are permitted to gather firewood, then make sure you’re only gathering dead wood. Don’t chop down trees or branches as that live wood is going to be too wet to burn or cause a whole lot of smoke that is going to be blown into your face. It’s also unnecessary as usually you’ll be able to find more than enough dead, dry wood just laying about.
Now that you’ve got your fuel, let’s make a fire! First, ensure the spot where you plan to build your campfire is clear of debris and in an open area away from overhanging tree branches and dry grass. Spots that offer dedicated fire pits usually have them located in good spots, so you won’t have to worry.
If you don’t have a firepit, then you’ll need to build one using some medium to large-sized rocks. It’s unwise to use river stones or rocks that have recently been wet, as there is a potential that the heat from the fire could cause them to explode. And speaking of exploding, glass and unopened cans can also explode when heated by a campfire, so when you’re clearing up your spot, make sure that bottles and cans are safely away from the flames and heat.
Now it’s time to get your fire going so you can roast up some marshmallows. Make sure to have a bucket of water handy. You never know when things are going to get out of hand, and preparation is key to safety. Start by making a small pile of tinder, or you can steeple it to make a teepee shape. Then put some starting material amidst the tinder and light it up. As the fire grows, keep feeding it small pieces of tinder, then kindling and finally on to the larger pieces of seasoned dry wood.
Now that you have a warm campfire going, you’ll want to keep it going! The number one rule for safety once your fire is lit? Never leave your campfire unsupervised. A wind could whip up, or an errant ember could ignite some dry brush or scrub… you never know. So always, always keep an eye on your campfire.
To maintain your campfire, feed it more wood as the flames die down and the fire starts to appear weaker. Add the wood slowly, so you don’t just end up smothering the fire and putting it out. Try to avoid using big logs too, as they also can smother the fire, or even roll off and spread the flames outside your pit. Keep adding wood as long as you want to enjoy the campfire.
You’ve sung songs, told stories, and have a stomach ache from all the roasted marshmallows you’ve eaten. Now, it’s time to call it a night and crawl into your tent for a good night’s sleep. But first, you need to put out your campfire. Remember, you must never leave your campfire unattended, so put it out before you get some shuteye.
Make sure to use water to extinguish your campfire, not dirt or sand. With dirt and sand, the fire could potentially stay hot for sometimes more than eight hours. That’s definitely a hazard for both your fellow campers and the environment. So, it’s recommended that you use a minimum of 10L (basically an ordinary bucket’s worth of water) to put out your fire… and you should keep dousing your campfire until it is completely extinguished.
If something does happen – errant embers, unattended fire that goes out of control… whatever – call 000 to immediately report a brushfire. But hopefully, using these few simple tips will help you avoid any potential issues when setting up a campfire. Enjoy!
