How to Make Sure Your Campfire is Completely Out
People cause more than 80% of all wildfires, some of which ignite from unattended campfires. Don’t contribute to those numbers. Make sure you always put your campfire completely out. Here’s how.
Build Your Fire in a Safe Place
Before considering having a campfire for your outing, check with the land managers for the area. A burn ban might be in effect because of dry or windy conditions that increase the danger of wildfires. If there’s no burn ban, build your fire in an established place, like an existing fire ring.
Use the Correct Equipment
Also, before lighting a campfire, be sure to have a shovel or rake and some water available to extinguish it completely in case of an emergency. Using accelerants, chemicals or pyrotechnics to start fires or in ceremonies, other than solid fire starters designed for this purpose, is prohibited.
Putting Out the Campfire
Never leave your fire unattended. Let your fire burn down to ash or small coals, and then put it out by pouring water on the embers. Stir the ashes to moisten the embers thoroughly, and add more water if needed. Don’t stop until the coals are cold and you can safely place your hand on them.
If you don’t have water, you can use dirt or sand. The same process applies: Stir the sand and dirt among the coals until they’re extinguished.
What ever happened to the idea of putting a stick standing upright in the middle of the fire ring after the fire was put out? this would tell anyone that your fire was out and cold in the event of a wildfire. The stick would burn off to ground level but not underground, Luss letting everyone know it was not your fire that caused the problem.