A crackling campfire is the heart of many camping trips. It is also one of the biggest responsibilities you take on outdoors. According to the National Park Service, nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans, with unattended campfires among the common causes.
This guide covers how to check fire rules, build and maintain a safe campfire, put it out completely, and follow the seven Leave No Trace principles so the places you love stay beautiful.
Part 1: Campfire Safety
Step 1: Check Whether Fires Are Allowed
Fire rules can change daily based on weather, drought, and wind. Before you strike a match:
- Check the alerts page for your national park, national forest, BLM office, or state park.
- Look for posted fire restriction signs at the campground entrance.
- Know that some places ban wood fires all year. Big Bend National Park, for example, does not allow wood fires or ground fires anywhere in the park.
- Check whether you need a permit. Some states and agencies require campfire permits in certain areas.
If fires are banned, use a camp stove where stoves are allowed, and enjoy a lantern-lit evening instead.
Step 2: Bring the Right Tools
- A full bucket of water (more than you think you need)
- A shovel for stirring and scraping
- Matches or a lighter; never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire
- Local or certified firewood
Buy firewood near where you will burn it. Moving firewood long distances can spread tree-killing insects and diseases. The Don't Move Firewood campaign explains local rules by state.
Step 3: Choose a Safe Spot
The Smokey Bear campfire safety guide, produced with the USDA Forest Service, recommends:
- Using an existing fire ring or pit whenever one is available
- Clearing an area at least 10 feet in diameter around the fire
- Staying at least 15 feet from tents, vegetation, and low-hanging branches
- Avoiding windy, gusty areas and checking that you have open space overhead
Step 4: Build It Small
Smokey's advice is simple: keep the fire small, not tall. Start with tinder, add kindling, and gradually add larger wood. Gather only dead wood that is already on the ground where collecting is allowed, and never cut live trees or branches. Never burn trash, aerosol cans, batteries, glass, or aluminum.
Step 5: Never Leave It Unattended
Assign one adult to watch the fire at all times. Keep children and pets a safe distance away. If the wind picks up, put the fire out. If the fire escapes the ring and spreads to vegetation, call 911 immediately.
Step 6: Put It Out Completely: Drown, Stir, Drown, Feel
The Smokey Bear guide uses a four-step method:
- Drown: Pour plenty of water on the fire until the hissing stops. Do not rely on dirt or sand alone.
- Stir: Use your shovel to mix the water into the ashes and embers. Scrape sticks and logs so no embers are smoldering.
- Drown again: Keep adding water until everything is cool.
- Feel: Hover the back of your hand over the ashes. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
Allow time for this before bed and before you leave camp. A fire that seems out can reignite hours later.
Part 2: The Seven Leave No Trace Principles
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics publishes seven principles used by federal land agencies, scout groups, and outdoor educators across the country. Here is what each means for a typical campground or backcountry trip.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know the rules, weather, and hazards of the area. Reserve sites where required, pack the right gear, and repackage food to reduce trash. Good planning prevents most problems before they start.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stay on established trails, and camp in designated sites or on already-impacted ground, gravel, rock, or dry grass. Avoid trampling meadows and fragile vegetation. In the backcountry, camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
"Pack it in, pack it out" applies to all trash, leftover food, and litter. Where there are no toilets, dig a cathole 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails, or use a portable waste bag where required. Strain dishwater and scatter it far from water sources.
4. Leave What You Find
Leave rocks, plants, antlers, and historic or cultural artifacts where they are. Do not build structures, dig trenches, or carve into trees.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
Use a camp stove for cooking when you can. Where fires are allowed, use existing fire rings, keep fires small, burn wood completely to ash, and put fires out cold. Consider skipping a fire entirely in areas where wood is scarce.
6. Respect Wildlife
Watch animals from a distance and never feed them. Feeding wildlife harms their health and can make them aggressive. Store food and trash securely, following local rules for bear lockers or canisters. Yellowstone, for example, asks visitors to stay at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from bears and wolves.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect quiet hours, keep music low, yield to other users on the trail, and keep pets under control. Everyone came outside to enjoy nature.
Common Campfire and Camping Mistakes
- Building a fire during a burn ban because "it is only a small one"
- Leaving a fire smoldering overnight
- Burning food scraps or trash in the fire ring
- Bringing firewood from home across state lines
- Creating new fire rings at dispersed sites
- Leaving food or coolers out where wildlife can reach them
Teaching Kids Campfire Safety
- Set a clear "safety circle" around the fire ring that kids do not enter without an adult.
- Teach them to walk, never run, near the fire.
- Use long roasting sticks for marshmallows, and show them where to put hot sticks after use.
- Let them help with the "Drown, Stir, Drown, Feel" routine. It makes them part of the responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if there is a fire ban where I am camping?
Check the official website or alerts page for the park, forest, or BLM office, look for posted signs at the campground, and ask a ranger or campground host. Restrictions can change quickly during dry periods.
Can I put out a campfire with dirt?
Dirt alone is not enough. The Smokey Bear guide recommends drowning with water, stirring, drowning again, and feeling for heat. Dirt can insulate embers and let them smolder.
Is it okay to burn trash in a campfire?
No. Burning trash creates toxic smoke, leaves litter in fire rings, and can attract wildlife. Pack out all trash.
Can I collect firewood at my campsite?
Rules vary. Many parks prohibit gathering any wood, living or dead. Joshua Tree National Park, for example, does not allow visitors to gather park vegetation for fuel. Buy local firewood when in doubt.
What are the seven Leave No Trace principles?
Plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly; leave what you find; minimize campfire impacts; respect wildlife; and be considerate of other visitors.
Leave Only Good Memories
A safe campfire and a clean campsite are signs of a great camper. Check fire rules before every trip, keep your fire small and attended, put it out cold, and follow the seven Leave No Trace principles. The next campers, and the wildlife that call these places home, will thank you.
