How to Prevent Starting a Wildfire While Camping
"How-Not-To" Outdoor Guide to Avoid Becoming an Accidental Arsonist
Sep 6, 2009
About 10 percent of wildfires are caused by lightening, according to the 2005 McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology.
While there's nothing that hikers and campers can do about the natural causes, it's easy to avoid being part of the 90 percent caused either directly or indirectly by humans.
Accidental Wildfire Easy to Prevent
While the largest fire in Los Angeles history was ruled arson in September 2009, at least five of the 20 worst fires in California history were directly caused by humans in preventable ways, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.
The most obvious ways of preventing wildfire on the trail are simple:
- Pay attention to fire danger warnings, both on the trailhead and online.
- Make sure cigarettes and matches are cold to the touch before disposing.
- Burn brush only when the burn risk is low, in a clear area and with water to smother the flames if they get out of hand.
- Create controlled campfires and extinguish them safely.
Building and Extinguishing a Safe Campfire
According to the Boy Scout Handbook, the first question is not how to build a safe campfire, it's whether a campfire is even necessary. If cooking is the only need, the fire risk is high, and there's no need for warmth, consider using a camp stove only and not lighting a campfire at all.
If lighting a campfire, choose a spot where nothing will catch flame except the fuel that's intended to burn. If a campsite has a designated campfire area, use that area. If one is not available, choose gravel, sand or non-organic soil (such as silt, clay or sand found along riverbanks) to build the fire on. Clear away all needles, leaves twigs and anything else that could catch fire. Make sure that the fire is well clear of bushes, grass and trees, including overhanging branches.
Do not use any sort of fuel to light the fire (such as gasoline or lighter fluid). Once the fire is lit, make sure that someone is supervising the fire at all times and that a bucket of water is nearby to douse the flames if they get out of hand.
When done with the fire, douse the fire with water and stir it with a stick. Continue to douse and stir until every part of the fire is completely cold to the touch.
Helpful Articles on Wildfire
Learn how to protect a house from wildfire, how to survive a wildfire while camping, and more about the causes and prevention of North American wildfire.
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