Do Your Part - Tips for Responsible Camp Fires
Everybody likes a campfire. There is nothing better than sitting around a fire relaxing, telling stories, and roasting marshmallows. But as more and more people find their way deeper into the backcountry, campfire impacts are disturbing the natural beauty of many areas. So the next time you consider building a campfire, follow these helpful tips:
- Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire — use existing fire rings, build a mound fire, or use a fire pan. Keep fires small and allow them to burn only while in use.
- The best place to build a campfire is an existing well-maintained fire ring in a suitable campsite.
- Using a fire pan is a good alternative when an existing fire ring is not available. A fire pan should have three-inch high sides and be placed on rocks or lined with mineral soil so the heat won’t scorch the ground.
- Mound fires are also a great alternative in situations when there is no fire ring or you can’t carry a fire pan. To build a mound fire, collect soil, sand, or gravel from an already disturbed site. Lay a ground cloth on the fire site and then spread soil in a circular, flat-topped mound at least six inches thick. Thickness of the mound is important to insulate the ground from the heat of the fire. Make sure the circumference of the mound is larger than that of the fire. The ground cloth under the mound allows for quick clean-up of the fire remnants. Replace the soil where you found it.
- Gather firewood well away from your camp and use only fallen timber. Do not cut standing trees. There should be enough wood that its removal for a fire is unnoticeable.
- Let your fire burn down to a fine ash. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished.
- For cooking, use a camp stove. They are always preferable to a campfire in terms of impact on the land.
- Never burn trash in a campfire.
