{"id":2005,"date":"2024-04-07T22:56:34","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T22:56:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2005"},"modified":"2024-04-07T22:56:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T22:56:34","slug":"campfire-safety-starting-a-fire-without-burning-down-the-forest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2005","title":{"rendered":"Campfire Safety: Starting a Fire Without Burning Down the Forest"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Eric Perez<\/a><\/p>\n

I<\/span>t\u2019s spring, and that means backpackers, hikers, and campers will be going out into the backcountry. It\u2019s also fire season, and every year it seems there are more wildland fires destroying hundreds of thousands of acres. Campfire safety is extremely important.<\/p>\n

While fire is a normal and even necessary part of nature\u2019s cycle, fires aren\u2019t just started by lightning or other natural occurrences. In fact, according to fire ecologist Melissa Forder, 60% of wildland fires in national parks are caused by humans. According to Forest Service numbers, outside of national parks that number goes up to 90%.<\/p>\n

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The Roaring Lion Fire caused evacuations in western Montana, where it raged in the Bitterroot National Forest, Darby Ranger District. Image: Terra satellite\/NASA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2016, a group of teenagers near Hamilton, MT had a campfire while hiking in the backcountry. The teens thought they had effectively doused the fire before leaving the area, but they didn\u2019t realize that the fire was continuing to burn in the duff underneath.<\/p>\n

\"Shown\n<\/picture>
In this World War II poster, the message was clear: Forest Defense is National Defense. In addition to normal wildfires, the U.S. was concerned about Japanese balloon bombs<\/a> starting wildfires. Image: NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A few days later a cold front came in, and the resulting wind fanned the still-smoldering embers into a blaze that eventually took 8,658 acres of standing timber and grass, 16 homes and 49 outbuildings with a total cost of $11 million to fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Campfire Safety 101: Starting the Fire<\/h2>\n

Regardless of what brings you to the backcountry, being able to make a fire is an important part of your skillset \u2014 possibly even more important than keeping a large bore handgun in a chest holster should you run into bears, mountain lions or other dangerous critters.<\/p>\n

\"In\n<\/picture>
Good fellowship around a campfire on a frosty night is one of the priceless rewards for backcountry visitors at Entiat Meadows in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Image: James W. Hughes\/NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Equally as important, however, is your ability to start and put out that fire in such a way that it doesn\u2019t harm the land around it\u2014or you. I hope I demonstrated why it is important to properly extinguish a campfire in the real story above.<\/p>\n

\"In\n<\/picture>
In this 1941 photograph, Ranger Cunningham demonstrates how to clear duff away from a campfire, making at least a 5\u2032 diameter area clear of flammable material. Image: J.W. Trygg\/NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First and foremost, pay attention to local burn restrictions. In many areas of the country during the summer and early fall months, burning is restricted to certain times of the day, or even banned completely. In fact, in some areas the danger of fire is so high that you\u2019ll be barred from using chainsaws, ATVs, and other things that can cause a spark.<\/p>\n

Before going hiking or camping, check with the local ranger station or Department of Natural Resources to see what\u2019s allowed and plan accordingly. You do not want to get caught busting those restrictions and accidentally starting a wildfire.<\/p>\n

\"In\n<\/picture>
A National Park Ranger gives a campfire safety briefing to campers. Image: NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re clear to burn, then the next step is starting your fire safely. Once you have gathered the materials you are using, you will need to clear an area of at least four feet around your fire pit of all brush and anything else that\u2019s combustible.<\/p>\n

Go all the way down to the dirt, and don\u2019t forget to look up! Sparks travel, and so you\u2019ll need to ensure that they won\u2019t catch anything above you on fire, such as hanging branches.<\/p>\n

\"In\n<\/picture>
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Engine 58 crew implements a progressive hoselay to protect the community of Spring Valley from the Jamacha Fire. Image: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service\/NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Traditionally, the National Park Service offers safety tips to campers on site. Take advantage of these if available. The big one is never leave an unattended campfire. But you also want to clear flammable material away from the fire site \u2013 roughly 5\u2032 in diameter for a small fire. Keep a shovel and bucket of water close by in case something does catch on fire.<\/p>\n

Putting Out a Fire Safely\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Many people think that dumping a bottle of water on a fire and dousing the flames is enough to put it out. It\u2019s not, as the teens who started the Roaring Lion Fire found out. Campfire remains can smolder for days; that\u2019s why it\u2019s important to put the fire out completely.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"In\n<\/picture>
A wildfire can start in nearly any area and threaten towns, cities and neighborhoods if not controlled quickly. Image: NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The U.S. Forest Service explains that in order to truly put your fire out, it\u2019s a process:<\/p>\n