Camp Fire: This Fire Burns Hot

Who doesn’t love a campfire? Roasting hotdogs and marshmallows are one of the most fun things to do while camping. While it is fun, you must remember this fire burns hot. Camp fires blaze high in the air and it is possible to get burned from being too close to a campfire. Another concern is that this fire burns so high that surrounding trees catch on fire. Many forest fires have been caused by campfires.

Before you ever leave home for your camping trip find out before hand if there are any burning restrictions. Also make sure you bring with you the emergency numbers of the place you are camping. Make sure that you have first aid supplies such as band aids, sterile bandages, tape, disinfectant sprays, and insect repellant lotions or sprays. In very dry times of years you may not be able to build a campfire to enjoy because this fire burns out of control with just a spark. An ember can float through the air and catch the forest on fire. In dry times, you might consider bringing a charcoal or propane gas grill rather than building a campfire because this fire burns with savage fury if it ever gets out of control.

For safety reasons, if where you are camping doesn’t have fire pits, you will need to dig a small pit and surround the pit with rocks. Never start a fire without having a bucket of sand and water close at hand. When using a match to start a fire, do not throw it away until it is no longer hot. You should be able to touch the burned end with your fingers and not get burned. Though your campfire is beautiful to gaze upon, it is a source of danger because this fire burns out of control very easily.

When building a campfire, construct it in a flat area where there are no trees nearby with overhanging branches because this fire burns hot and high. Never start a fire on dry grass or on sloping terrain. Fire burns uphill and will be more apt to start a forest fire if it should get out of control.

To protect the members of your family, construct a safety zone around the fire where no one is to enter. Children playing around the fire too close could easily trip and fall into the flames. There should be at least 8 feet of space between the family members and the fire because this fire burns hot and spits out sparks that could catch clothing on fire.

Never go to bed with a campfire burning because this fire burns quickly out of control. Be sure to douse the base of the fire with water. When water hits the source of the fire it will make a hissing noise. Pour water on the fire until you no longer hear the hissing noise. Then for added safety pour sand over the ashes. Many forest fires have been started accidentally by people who thought their campfire was out.