Campfire Basics Will Help Prevent Utah Wildfires

If you think wildfires have become more aggressive and destructive, the professionals agree.
In Utah and all Western states, wildfires are burning bigger, hotter and more intensely because of higher temperatures, low humidity and winds.  A small fire can quickly morph into a huge, threatening Red Flag event.

Summer 2020 has an added threat:  The relaxing of Stay Home directives means Utahns and out-of-staters, eager for recreation, will head to canyons and campsites.  Many of those visitors are inexperienced in outdoor safety – particularly lacking in campfire savvy -- a recipe for heightened wildfire risk.

So, here are the Basics for the novice, and a reminder for the experienced.

Before selecting your campfire site:

• Check the weather for winds -- speed, direction and potential for gusts.  Do not light a fire in windy conditions. 
• Look for a location distant from power lines, dry grasses/shrubs/leaves, dead trees/stumps, parking areas. 
• You need a site with gravel or dirt that has at least 10’ of clearance all around.  Make sure you have vertical clearance at least three times higher than flames.    

Preparing your campfire location:  

• Do not build fire directly on the ground. Fire can spread underground through roots and decayed matter.  Contain fire in a burn barrel, BBQ unit, or small pit with rocks surrounding it.
• Keep the campfire small and manageable.  Trust this: A spark can ignite surrounding dry matter quickly and be out-of-hand in seconds.  
• Before the fire is lit, is the time to make sure your group is fully informed of campsite rules and campfire safety.  Don’t leave the know-how to one or two; everyone, including the kids, needs to understand.  Inform, then quiz.  Start with Stop, Drop and Roll if clothing starts to burn.  
• Water down the surrounding area and keep it that way throughout the fire’s duration. 

Start your fire, safely:  

• Use dry twigs/sticks to get it going.  Do not discard matches until cold.  Gradually add larger pieces of fuel (wood), saving the largest pieces for last.  As the first pieces burn down, gradually push larger ones into the flame.
• DO NOT USE flammable, dangerous liquids on your fire.

Managing the Fire:

• Do not let kids and pets near the fire.  Never leave the kids or the campfire unattended – not even for a moment.  
• Have buckets of water nearby, along with a shovel to throw dirt on the fire if it starts to get out-of-hand.

Heading home:  

• To extinguish a campfire, drown it with water.  When you think it is out, you still have more to do to assure it is extinguished.  Stir it gently with a stick to reveal any underlying embers.  Douse again with water.  Rule of Thumb:  If fire is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.  You want it stone cold.  
• As you start breaking up camp, put out the fire first, so that you can check it from time-to-time, while doing other breakdown and packing.  

For more information visit:  Utahfireinfo.gov;  idahofireinfo.com

 PLEASE COMMENT IF YOU HAVE OTHER TIPS FOR CAMPFIRE SAFETY