Campfire - How to Put Out Safely

A camping trip just doesn't seem complete without the enjoyment of a nice warm campfire. No campfire, no s’mores, no way! It is sad though that some campers have managed to turn a campfire into a wildfire.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, escaped campfires are the second leading cause of wildfires. Before you build a campfire, brush up on …

Basic campfire safety

• Choose a clear spot away from trees, logs, stumps, overhanging branches, dense dry grass, and forest litter.
• Use an existing fire ring, don't create a new one. When not in a designated campground, build your fire within a ring of rocks.
• Keep your campfire small.
• Never leave a campfire unattended! Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread.
• Understand how to put out a campfire safely and completely. Bruce Lessels, president of Zoar Outdoor, demonstrate the steps in the the two-part video below.

Remember…if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

After you put out the campfire, take an extra minute to check the entire campsite for possible sparks or embers, because it only takes one to start a forest fire.

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