Campfire and fire pit safety

Check the rules before lighting up

Whether you can have a campfire is not your call; the rules of the place decide. Many campgrounds ban fires directly on the ground and allow only fire pits, and some ban wood fires altogether or limit them to certain hours. Areas near forests may restrict fire use in dry seasons, and places that are not campgrounds, such as riverbanks, beaches, and parks, often ban cooking and fires entirely. Rules vary by place and season, so check the campground's guidance and the official notices from local and forestry authorities before you go. Breaking them can bring fines or other penalties.

Setting up the fire pit

Place the fire pit on flat, firm ground so it cannot tip over. A single spark can burn a hole in or ignite a tent or tarp, so keep them well away, and check the wind so your tent is not downwind. Avoid spots under overhanging branches and areas with piled dry grass or leaves. Put a heat shield under the fire pit so the grass and ground do not scorch. Keep chairs at least a step back from the fire and away from walking paths to cut down on tripping accidents.

Lighting and fuel

Well-dried firewood makes little smoke and burns steadily. Wet wood smokes heavily, bothers neighbors, and is hard to light. Use solid fire starters or small twigs to get it going, and never pour liquid fuel such as gasoline or alcohol on a weak fire. Liquid fuel can flare up in an instant and catch the person pouring it. Burning trash such as plastic bags, plastic, coated paper, or food packaging releases toxic smoke, so keep it out. Add wood a little at a time instead of stacking it high, so the flames stay inside the fire pit.

Habits while the fire is lit

As long as the fire is burning, someone must be watching it. These habits keep small slips from turning into serious accidents.

• Keep a full bucket of water or an extinguisher within reach
• Never leave the fire unattended or fall asleep beside it
• Keep kids and pets outside a set boundary
• Handle wood with gloves and tongs, never bare hands
• Avoid synthetic clothing that melts easily from sparks
• If you have been drinking, let someone else tend the fire
• When the wind picks up, stop adding wood and shrink or put out the fire

Heat and smoke from the fire pit

The metal of a fire pit stays hot long after the fire dies. Even if it looks burned out, do not move it bare-handed or let feet touch its legs, and fold it only once it has fully cooled. If smoke drifts one way, make room on that side. Setting a fire pit right under a tarp to dodge the rain lets sparks burn the fabric and lets smoke and carbon monoxide build up. On cold nights, never bring leftover coals or the fire pit into the tent or vestibule; it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

How to put it out

Putting a fire out takes time too. Start winding down well before bed.

• Stop adding wood well before you go to sleep
• Spread out the remaining wood and coals and pour water evenly
• Stir the ashes to soak them through, then pour water again
• Repeat until you feel no heat with the back of your hand close by
• Dump cooled ashes only in the campground's designated spot
• Do not bury ashes; buried coals can keep smoldering underground

If someone gets burned

Cool a burn right away under cool running water for a good while. Ice applied directly can damage the skin further, and home remedies like soybean paste, toothpaste, or oil raise the risk of infection, so do not use them. Do not pop blisters, and remove rings or watches before swelling starts. See a doctor if the burn is large, if the skin turns white or black, or if it is on the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals. For children and older adults, consider medical care even for small burns. If clothing catches fire, do not run: stop, drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll.

If the fire spreads, and a caution

If a spark lands on dry grass or a tent and the flame is still tiny, put it out right away with water or an extinguisher. But once it starts spreading beyond control, stop trying to fight it: warn people nearby, move away in the direction opposite the wind, and call emergency services. A wildfire can spread faster than a person can walk. If you are not sure the fire is fully out, pour more water and check again. This is general safety guidance, not medical advice. For serious burns or lasting symptoms, get help from medical professionals.