Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

Campfire Safety

The campfire is a friend to us when carefully used. It will keep us warm, cook our food, dry our clothes, and add a flickering light of friendship to the night. Most people are careful with campfires. They follow the laws. They build their fires in the right places and at the right times, keep them small, and put them out before they leave.

An unattended campfire or sparks from too large a fire can cause an entire forest to burn. Be campfire safe!

Make Your Campfire Safe:

• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps or logs, dry grass and leaves. Use fire rings or grills when provided. Pile wood away from the fire.
• Scrape away litter, duff, and any burnable material in a 10-foot wide circle. This will keep a small campfire from spreading.
• Keep water handy. Quick action will prevent fire spread to surrounding areas.
• Keep campfires small. A good bed of coals or small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat for cooking and warmth.
• Never leave fire unattended. A breeze may come up while you're gone and spread the fire.

BE SURE YOUR MATCHES ARE OUT!

• If your match is not to be thrown into a campfire, then be sure it's out! Hold until cold. Break it so that the charred portion is felt before discarding. Be sure it’s COLD OUT!

HOW TO BE SURE YOUR CAMPFIRE IS OUT!

• Drown it with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks, there may be burning embers underneath.
• Stir. Add more water and stir again. Be sure all burning material has been extinguished and cooled.
• Feel all sticks and charred material. Feel the coals and ashes. Make sure no roots are burning.
• No water? Use dirt. Mix enough soil or sand with embers and the fire will go out. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cold enough to feel with your bare hand. (Don't just bury it - it may smolder and break out again!)

CHARCOAL BRIQUETS:

• Dunk 'em! Don't sprinkle - put briquets in water and leave them until cold. Check with your hand to be sure they are out.

TIPS ON BUILDING A CAMPFIRE

• Start with dry twigs and small sticks.
• Add larger sticks as the fire builds up.
• Put largest pieces of wood on last - be careful not to make a sudden shower of sparks.
• To keep a good fire going, place large pieces of wood outside and gradually push them into the flames.
• Conserve your matches. (Carry a candle as a fire starter).