No camping trip is complete without a campfire. Not only does it set the atmosphere with the pioneer feeling, it is the best way to cook your favorite camping meals and keep warm and cozy on chilly nights out in the wild. Many people pride themselves in learning how to build a campfire, but some people forget that knowing how to properly extinguish a campfire is just as important. There are a few key steps you should follow in order to keep your company and the wilderness around you safe.
Let it burn
The first step is to assess how soon you would like the fire to go out. If you are going to be going to bed soon or know you will be venturing away from the site for a prolonged amount of time, do not feed the fire by adding anymore wood. Letting the fire burn down on its own will ensure the coals or wood burned evenly. Burning everything evenly will ensure there are no hidden pieces of burning debris. Just a small patch of lit wood or coal that is overlooked has the potential to cause a forest fire.
Water it down
After you’ve let the fire sufficiently die down, you can then add water if you have it available. A hissing sound may be heard and that is perfectly normal when you extinguish a campfire. Make sure to not only pour the water over the red coals but also around the entire fire so you create a wet barrier and cover your ground just in case.
Smother it
Once most of the smoke has been stifled, add sand or dirt into the mix and use a stick or shovel to stir. You should add more water as necessary until the fire no longer smokes and there are no pieces of debris that look to be still burning. With caution, hover your hand over the mixture to gauge the overall heat. The coals should feel cool to the touch.
Double check
Check the surrounding area for any bits of campfire that may have flown away and be sure to extinguish them. By following these steps you can help save forests from fire and protect those around you responsibly.
Related article: How to Extinguish a Grease Fire in the Outdoors
Featured Image from Wil Stewart/Unsplash
