Tips for a safe campfire: how to enjoy and take care of yourself in the heat

Hi, making a safe campfire is important to avoid accidents, fires and damage to the environment. Here are some tips you can follow:

- Choose a suitable campfire site that has shade, ventilation and access to clean water. Avoid areas at risk of fire, flooding or pests. Respect the rules of the campsite and make sure that campfires are allowed.

- Prepare a safety kit, including a fire extinguisher, shovel, blanket, first aid kit and telephone. Keep it near the campfire and check that it works properly. Learn how to use it in an emergency.

- Create a ring of rocks around the campfire to act as a barrier and support. The rocks should be dry and clean, free of cracks and moisture. The ring should be at least 30 cm high and 15 cm wide. Leave a space for getting in and out of the campfire.

- Collect firewood for the campfire, which should be dry, cut and unpainted. Use three types of firewood: tinder (small, easy-to-light materials such as paper, cardboard or cotton), fine firewood (thin, dry branches) and coarse firewood (logs or planks of wood). Do not use green, wet or treated firewood, as it can produce smoke, sparks or toxic substances.

- Start the fire with a lighter, a match or a magnifying glass. Do not use petrol, alcohol or flammable products, as they can cause explosions or burns. Place the tinder in the centre of the ring of rocks and light it. Then add the thin wood in a pyramid or teepee shape on top of the tinder. Finally, add the coarse wood crosswise or parallel on top of the fine wood.

- Feed the fire sparingly, adding more wood when necessary. Do not build a campfire too big or leave it unattended. Keep a safe distance and do not throw objects into the fire. Do not allow children or pets near the fire without supervision.

- Extinguish the fire with water, sand or earth. Do not let it die on its own or cover it with rocks or branches. Make sure no embers, ashes or smoke remain. Remove the remains with a shovel and check that they are cool to the touch. Do not throw the remains in the river or in the forest, leave them in a suitable container.

- Take care of the environment and respect nature. Do not leave rubbish or food leftovers, use biodegradable or reusable bags. Do not cut or damage vegetation or wildlife, observe and enjoy biodiversity. Follow the leave no trace principle and leave the place better than you found it.

These are some tips for a safe campfire. I hope you find them useful and that you enjoy your camp. 

sources:

Edelen, B. (2007, March 9). 6 ways to build a campfire. wikiHow. https://es.wikihow.com/construir-una-fogata.

Sports, F. (2022, January 15). 10 useful tips for campfire safety. FreeDeportes; Best product comparisons. https://freedeportes.com/camping/consejos-de-acampada/10-consejos-utiles-para-la-seguridad-de-las-fogatas/.

Albala, A. (2021, January 10). How to build a campfire: a step-by-step guide. Maps and backpacking. https://mapasymochila.com/como-hacer-una-fogata-una-guia-paso-a-paso/.

Words: camping, hot zone, summer, tips, camping, heat, hydration, food, environment.