Camping With Suzi » Campfire safety basics

Campfire safety basics

As the camping season approaches, we are remined a campfire can cause destructive wildfires. Wildfire destroy wide swaths of national forests and grasslands. The black stumps and scorched earth left by fires in national forests across the country are reminders we should always observe what Smokey Bear tells us and follow basic safety when in the forest or on a grassland.

Some of campfire safety basics:

• Scrape dead grass and other flammable materials away from where you build your campfire sites;
• Keep your fires small and under control;
• Keep a shovel and a large container of water nearby to douse any escaped embers;
• Be sure your fire is dead and out before leaving your campsite or going to sleep;
• Do not park vehicles in tall dry grass – since hot tailpipe can cause dried fuels to catch on fire.
• Never use fireworks as they are strictly prohibited on federal lands.
• Remember that any ignition – cigarettes, campfires, gunfire, vehicles – could cause a wildland fire.

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Remember – Only You can permit forest fires

Test your Campfire Safety knowledge by taking this quiz.

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