Fire Safety Outdoors
Being outdoors for camping or hunting many times requires to set a fire, especially when you are going to expend several days in the forest.
A fire is not only convenient but necessary, particularly on cold nights when it helps to keep you and your fellows warm, provides light, and helps to keep away wild critters.
But a fire is always a risk in the wilderness, in fact, most of wildfires start because of human activities, being hazardous for people, animals, and the forest itself.
So, next time you are out in the bushes setting a fire, keep in mind the following tips to keep the fire safe and under control.
1. Be aware of fire regulations
Regardless of the fact of being in a remote area, each county has its own regulations about setting a fire in the wilderness, so you need to be familiar with them in order to avoid law infringements and keep you safe, after all, those regulations are designed for everyone's safety.
2. Always use a match to start your fire
Starting a fire is an easy task if you know how to do it. Even when using kerosene, gasoline or other flammable liquids makes the task easier, it's not recommended because of the risk of an uncontrolled fire, so avoid such techniques.
Instead, use a match and begin with dry grass and leaves, once the fire begins, add small twigs until the fire becomes stable, which means, it continues to burn without any help. At this point, it's time to add big branches to allow burning for a long time.
3. Avoid hanging branches
Be sure to set the fire on a clear area, away from hanging branches or any other elements suitable to burn because of your fire heat. Look around and set a 10 feet perimeter free of flammable materials and don't forget to look up.
Hanging or dry branches may burn because of ascending heat, starting a wildfire, so be sure to find a safe area, not only around the fire but also over it.
4. Dig a fire pit
The safest way to start a fire is to dig a pit. Be sure to do it in a safe place, clean the perimeter from potentially flammable matter, and surround the dig with stones to keep the heat in.
Once the fire pit is completed, start your fire inside it. No better way to keep a fire under control.
5. Keep water near you
Water is the best way to keep the fire under control if things turn wild. Never start a fire if you don't have water handy, otherwise, things might run out of control while you find some water to extinguish or diminish an uncontrolled fire.
6. Keep the wind in mind
Wind may become an enemy when it blows and carry embers and hot ashes from your fire to nearby dry foliage. When this occurs, a wildfire may start almost instantly.
Being aware of the wind and keep your fire under control all the time remains paramount for safety.
7. Never leave a fire unattended
That's the best way to get things mad. It's mandatory to keep an eye on the fire all time long, keeping flames within the right size and enough firing wood to keep it burning but not in excess.
8. Always extinguish the fire and cold the area
Use plenty of water to extinguish the fire once it's not longer needed, afterwards use the soil you gathered when digging and cover all the ashes. Finally, rinse the soil with plenty of fresh water to get sure everything is cold enough.
Enjoying a fire is a grateful experience when you are camping and probably a life-saving element when you are in the wild, however keeping it under control is critical for your own safety, wildlife safety, and forest health, so be responsible every time you set a fire and be aware of such a big responsibility every time you hit a match.
