Campfire Safety Guide

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Plan AheadStay SafeExtinguish Your Campfire

Plan Ahead

Prepare before you start building a fire

Step01What You’ll Need

• Make sure to have the right items on handTools: Water, bucket or large container, shovel, and a metal fire ringWood: Tinder, kindling, and logs
  • Tinder: Small twigs and dry leaves, grass, and needles
  • Kindling: Sticks smaller than 1″ around
  • Logs: Larger pieces of wood
  Cellphone: Call 911 immediately in case of emergency — if your fire jumps from the pit to surrounding vegetation or if embers fly outside of the fire.

Step02Know Before You Go

• Call or check online for fire restrictionsSearch for ‘fire restrictions’ followed by your location, local parks and recreation organization, or public lands agency.Don’t build a campfire or dig a fire pit if the campground, area, event rules, or local laws prohibit them.
• Check the weatherDon’t build a campfire in hazardous, dry, or windy conditions.

Stay Safe

Keep the fire small, not tall

Step03Pick Your Best Spot

• Find an open and level areaSelect a flat area with an open overhead.
• Stay away from windy areasFind an area with no gusty winds and avoid open fields.
• Keep away from flammable objectsStay at least 15 feet from tents, vegetation, and low-hanging branches. Ensure you have vertical clearance at least 3 times the height of the flames.

Step04Use an Existing Fire Pit or Prepare Your Own Pit

• Clear the areaWhether using an existing fire pit or making your own, ensure you have at least a 10-foot diameter around the site.
• Use an existing fire pitIf available, use an existing fire pit that has a metal ring or rock circle.
• Dig your pitIf an existing fire pit isn’t available, make your own fire pit by digging down about 1 foot deep.
• Add a barrierPlace a metal fire ring around your fire to add a barrier. If you don’t have a metal fire ring, circle your pit with rocks.

Step05Build Your Campfire

• Gather your woodPick up small, dry sticks or logs not covered by leaves from the ground — the leaves retain moisture and are often important to insects and fungi.Never cut whole trees or branches — dead or alive — you’ll damage the forest. The live materials won’t burn, and dead, standing trees shelter birds and other wildlife.
• Pile tinder in the centerBest methods for cooking:
  • Teepee: Lay the kindling over the tinder like you’re building a tent.
  • Lean-to: Drive a long piece of kindling into the ground at an angle over the tinder. Lean smaller pieces of kindling against the longer piece.
  Best methods for long-lasting campfires:
  • Cross: Criss cross the kindling over the tinder.
  • Log Cabin: Surround your pile of tinder with kindling, stacking pieces at right angles. Top the “cabin” with the smallest kindling.
• Ignite the tinderYou can use a match or lighter to start the fire but never use flammable liquids.
• Slowly build the fireBlow lightly at the base of the fire then add kindling and fuel.

Step06Maintain Your Campfire

• Keep the fire goingAdd larger pieces of dry wood, but never burn trash or dangerous things — aerosols, pressurized containers, batteries, glass, or aluminum.
• Keep your wit around your fire pitAlways be vigilant around your campfire — don’t play around and keep an eye on children and pets.

Extinguish Your Campfire

If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave

Step07Drown, Stir, Drown, Feel

• DrownPour lots of water on the fire until the hissing sound stops, drowning all the embers — don’t extinguish a fire with just dirt or sand.
• StirUse your shovel to stir the water into the embers, dirt, and sand, and mix well. Scrape any sticks and logs until no embers are exposed or smoldering, not just the red ones.
• DrownContinue adding water, dirt, and sand until all material is cool.
• FeelHover the back of your hand over the ashes to feel that the embers are cool — don’t leave without making sure your fire is entirely out.

Step08Heading Out

• Pack it in, Pack it outIt’s your responsibility to leave the area as good (or better) than you found it.

Always Remember

Only you can prevent wildfires

There’s nothing quite like enjoying the great outdoors with a roaring fire, gooey s’mores, and a night sky full of stars. But it’s your responsibility to follow these tips to ensure campfire safety.