Practice Fire Safety

Fire Safety Your Responsibility

With the current campfire bans in the Province of British Columbia and the record temperatures, now is a great time to talk about fire safety and following regulations.

Camping is a cherished activity for millions of outdoor enthusiasts, offering a chance to reconnect with friends and family in nature, while relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors. However, with the beauty of the wilderness and being outdoors comes the responsibility of ensuring its preservation and safety.

Annually, approximately 68% of wildfires in British Columbia are caused by lightning, while the remaining 32% is human caused i.e. off-road vehicles, industrial activity, power lines, campfires, smoking and fireworks to name a few causes. Therefore, reducing the incidence of human caused fires with fire bans during hot and dry periods is an appropriate response by the Province and BC Wildfire Service.

The campfire is seen by many people as an essential aspect of the camping trip as it is where we all gather to talk, reminisce, watch the glowing flames and make smores or cook smokies. Campfires, when not managed properly, can quickly turn a cozy friendly campsite activity into a destructive life-changing outing. One of the most critical aspects of camping is practicing fire safety, year-round.

Brian and Friends from White Rock - PoMoDee

There are two main types of camping:

Frontcountry - where people are in designated campgrounds (Private RV Parks and Campgrounds, BC Parks and Parks Canada) with numbered sites and designated firepits.
and then you have backcountry (Recreation Sites and Trails or Crown Land) where there may not be a designated firepit in each site.

Here’s a guide to help you practice fire safety, while camping and most of all following the Camper's Code.

Follow Provincial and Local Fire Regulations

Fire regulations can vary significantly depending on where you are camping. For instance, a municipality or regional district may impose burning restrictions. These restrictions apply within their boundaries and are communicated to the campground operator who will inform guests.

In British Columbia there are six regional fire centres: Cariboo, Coastal, Kamloops, Northwest, Prince George and Southeast. The decision when or where to implement a fire ban is made by the regional fire centres depending on local fire hazards or dangers, the type of weather conditions forecasted and the type and level of fire activity occurring. These bans include forestry recreation sites, provincial and federal parks, and municipal and privately owned campgrounds not covered by municipal bylaws. BC Parks may also designate certain BC Parks campsites as ‘no campfire’ locations.

See a map and the current fire bans and restrictions HERE

Sometimes there is a province-wide campfire ban but often some regions may have fire bans in place due to dry conditions and high fire risk and some may not. Always check the local fire regulations before starting a fire. Ignoring these rules can result in hefty fines and, more importantly, severe damage to the environment.

Use Local Firewood Only

Bringing in firewood from other areas (even your home) can introduce invasive species and diseases to the local environment. Always buy firewood locally or from the campground itself. Many campsites provide firewood for purchase. Did you know that firewood that is prepackaged and sold at campgrounds is usually kiln dried to lower the moisture content, generally making it bug, mold and disease free. The Canadian Council of Invasive Species urges you to Buy Local, Burn Local.

Choose a Safe Location

Before you even think about lighting a fire, you need to ensure you’re in a safe location and that it is not too windy. A sudden gust of wind could blow sparks onto nearby flammable surfaces that includes your clothing and effects.

Most campsites have designated fire rings or pits, and are in “safe” spaces, so please use them. These are designed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. If you’re in a more remote location and need to build your own fire pit, choose a site that is far from trees, shrubs, grass and other flammable materials. Clear the area around your pit of all debris, this includes twigs and leaves.

Be Prepared Before Lighting

Always have a plan in case your fire does get out of control. Keep a bucket or buckets of water, a shovel, and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Knowing how to use these tools can make a critical difference in an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the campsite’s emergency procedures and the nearest location for help.

Keep It Small and Controllable

A campfire doesn’t need to be large to be effective. A small, manageable fire is not only safer but also easier to control. Keep your fire to a reasonable size, no larger than 0.5 meters high by 0.5 meters wide (a fire larger than this is considered a Category 2 fire) A campfire this size is sufficient for cooking, warmth, and ambiance without posing an unnecessary risk. Check out the BC Campfire Regulations Poster.

Never Leave Your Fire Unattended

This is one of the most crucial rules of fire safety. A campfire can become dangerous very quickly if left unattended. Always have someone responsible for watching the fire, and never leave it burning when you go to sleep or leave the campsite. We know nature calls, but if there is no one to watch your fire, try to have it at a lower level before leaving for a few minutes. If you are planning to retire for the night, make sure the fire is completely extinguished.

Extinguish Campfires Properly and Totally

To ensure your campfire is completely out, follow these steps:

Allow the fire to burn down completely to ash if possible.
Pour water on the fire, making sure to douse all embers and not just the red ones.
Stir the ashes and embers with a stick to ensure everything is wet.
Feel the area with the back of your hand to make sure it’s cool to the touch.

If you don’t have enough water, you can use dirt or sand to cover the fire, but you’ll need to mix it thoroughly to ensure all embers are out and cool to the touch.

Pets and Children

Two other things to consider are pets, usually dogs, and their constant movement and wagging tails, and your children’s safety around campfires.

If you have a dog, please ensure they don’t get too close to the fire. One rogue spark could really harm your pal! You should also be mindful when cooking and roasting marshmallows, as you don’t want your pet to burn its mouth when it tries to sneak a quick bite.

Campfires are magical to adults and even more so to children. Please follow these additional safety steps to keep kids safe:

Only adults should light fires and add wood to them
Watch children closely while roasting marshmallows or weenies
Never leave a child unsupervised by a fire
Children and adults, should not sit around a fire in fleece clothing
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children
Teach kids to “STOP, DROP and ROLL” if their clothes ever catch fire
To protect pets and small children, a collapsible play pen can keep them at a safe distance

Other Campfire and Cooking Options

If you can’t have a wood burning campfire, most campgrounds allow or rent out propane firepits.

Often, campfire bans still allow the use of CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves and firepits that use liquid fuel or gaseous fuels, if the height of the flame is less than 15 cm tall. However, in extreme fire conditions these too may also be prohibited.

Having Fun and Being Responsible

Practicing fire safety on every camping trip is a vital part of The Camper's Code. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy your campfire while protecting yourself, your fellow campers, and the beautiful wilderness you are there to enjoy. Remember, a safe campfire is a responsible campfire. Enjoy your camping trip and stay safe!

Published: July 12, 2024

Last Updated: August 2, 2024