Modoc National Forest

Outdoor Fire Safety

Prepared by the USDA-Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters)

How to Safely Build and Put Out a Campfire:

Build campfires away from trees overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves.  Pile any extra wood away from the fires.  Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel available to extinguish your fire.  Start with dry twigs and small sticks.  Add larger sticks as the fire builds up.  Put the largest pieces of wood on last, pointing them toward the center of the fire, and gradually push them into the flames.  Keep your campfire small.  A good bed of coals or a small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat. Scrape away litter, duff, and any burnable material within a 5-foot-diameter circle.  This will keep your campfire from spreading.  Be sure your match is out.  Hold it until it is cold.  Never leave your campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread. 

To put your campfire out, begin by letting your campfire burn down.  Then, drown the fire with water.  Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet.  Move rocks---there may be burning embers underneath.  Mix and stir the remains with water; then add more water, and stir again.  Be sure all burned material has been extinguished and cooled. If you do not have water, use dirt.  Mix enough soil or sand with the embers.  Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool.  Feel all materials with your bare hand. Make sure that no roots are burning. Do not bury your coals---they can smolder and break out.

Remember:

• Never start a fire in strong winds. 

• Never attempt to burn aerosol cans; heated cans will explode.

• Flying metal from an exploding can may cause an injury.

• Scattering a campfire or burning debris can caused the spread of fires. 

Charcoal Briquettes:
After using the burning charcoal briquettes, "dunk 'em!" Don't sprinkle.  Soak the coals with lots of water; stir them and soak again. Be sure they are out--cold!  Carefully feel the coals with your bare hands to be sure. 

Smoking:
When smoking is permitted outdoors, safe practices require at least a 3-foot clearing around the smoker. Grind out your cigarette, cigar, or pipe tobacco in the dirt.  Never grind it on a stump or log. It is unsafe to smoke while walking or riding a horse or trail bike. Use your ashtray while in your car. 

Lanterns, Stoves, and Heaters:
Make sure your lanterns, stoves, and heaters are cool before refueling.  Place them on the ground in a cleared area and fill them.  If fuel spills, move the appliance to a new clearing before lighting it.  Recap and store flammable liquid containers in a safe place.  Never light lanterns and stoves inside a tent, trailer, or camper. If you use a lantern or stove inside a tent or trailer, be sure to have adequate ventilation.  Always read and follow instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Spark Arresters:
All types of equipment and vehicles are required to have spark arresters.  Chain saws, portable generators, cross-country vehicles, and trail bikes--to name a few--require spark arresters.   Please, make sure that your spark arrester is functioning properly.

Vehicle Safety:
Please keep vehicles on graded and maintained roads during periods of high fire danger.  Stay off of roads with grass as catalytic converters can cause fires when the grass comes in contact with the hot exhaust system.