Campfire and Bonfire Safety: Tips to Keep Your Fire Under Control

When camping, always use designated fire pits, fire rings, or grills if available, and keep your campfire at least 15 feet away from tents, vehicles, and camping gear. If no fire pit is available, choose a spot far from overhanging branches, dry grass, or anything flammable.

In your backyard, build your fire far away from buildings, fences, trees, and other structures, and check with your municipality or county for restrictions or burn bans, which should always be respected to prevent accidental wildfires.

For campfires, clear at least a 10-foot radius around the fire pit of anything flammable; for larger bonfires, clear at least a 20-foot radius. If there's no existing fire ring, build one using large rocks or dig a small pit about 6 inches deep, and for backyard bonfires a metal fire ring or steel drum helps contain the flames. Always keep a bucket of water, a hose, or a fire extinguisher nearby, along with a shovel or rake.

Start small and gradually add larger logs, it's easier to control a small fire and monitor its behavior. Only burn dry, seasoned wood, never trash, plastics, treated wood, gasoline, or lighter fluid. A good structure is the "teepee" or "log cabin" design, which encourages good airflow and keeps the fire contained.

Never leave the fire unattended, even briefly, since fires can spread rapidly. Keep children and pets at a safe distance of at least three feet, and teach children not to play with sticks or throw anything into the fire. Keep the flames to a manageable height, no more than two to three feet for campfires, and never use accelerants like gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid to reignite a fire once it's going.

Stop adding fuel and let the fire burn down naturally to a pile of glowing embers, which makes it easier to extinguish. Slowly pour water over the embers, starting from the edges and working toward the center, stirring the ashes as you go, until the hissing stops and no embers remain visible. Always check for remaining heat by holding your hand above the ashes, and never bury a fire, since this can insulate the embers and allow them to smolder for hours or days.

Pay attention to wind conditions, since a sudden gust can cause sparks to fly and ignite nearby dry grass or leaves, consider postponing your fire on a windy day. Always check for fire bans or restrictions in your area, and dispose of fully cooled ashes properly, scattering them over a large area for campfires or scooping them into a metal container for backyard bonfires, never in paper bags or cardboard boxes. Know what to do in an emergency: if a fire starts to spread, call emergency services immediately rather than trying to fight a large fire on your own.

By choosing a safe location, building your fire properly, and taking precautions while managing and extinguishing it, you can prevent accidents and enjoy a safe and memorable experience.