Practicing Campfire Safety This Spring

The weather is finally perfect for camping, and we can’t imagine your excitement to get out and enjoy the wilderness. But before you do so, you need to understand that enjoying a campfire comes at a risk. If not correctly built and extinguished, a fire can break out, causing harm to other campers, animals, and land.

Here are some campfire safety tips you can follow to enjoy your next camping trip responsibly.

Tip #1: Follow The Rules

Before setting up your campfire, make sure you’re aware of the area's local burn laws. Sometimes campfires may be prohibited regardless of the burn status, so we recommend checking in with a local ranger to make sure it’s okay.

Tip #2: Use a Pit

Campsites will usually have designated pits for campers to set up their fires. Even if you have experience setting up a fire, we recommend not to do so on your own. Following the designated rules and burn sites ensures the safety of not only yourself but the people around you.

Tip #3: Keep Water Close

Do not set up a fire if you do not have the tools to extinguish it. Alongside water, we also recommend keeping a shovel close if the water is not enough. A shovel can be used to throw dirt to extinguish any runaway flames you may have.

Tip #4: Pay Attention to The Weather

The conditions may seem perfect for fire now, but things can change within the next few hours. An incoming storm can bring strong gusts of wind that can send your campfire into a wildfire. We recommend you monitor the weather every hour to practice responsible campfire safety.

Tip #5: Properly Extinguish Your Fire

Lastly, but most importantly, extinguish your fire properly. As stated in tip #3, always keep a bucket of water and a shovel close just to be safe. Once you have doused the fire with water, mix up the ashes, and then soak it again to ensure the fire is out. Logs can take longer to extinguish, so keep your eyes on any burning embers within them.

We want you to enjoy your camping experience as much as possible, so we recommend you follow these rules to ensure everything goes smoothly. However, if you find yourself a victim of someone else’s negligent fire, give our team a call. We have years of experience dealing with wildfire cases, and we would be glad to assist you.

Contact our office today at (916) 520-6639 or visit our website to get started on your free, no-obligation consultation.