Fire Safty

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Remember, a little extra care takes only a few minutes of your time. And it would prevent a wildfire.

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Since people cause most wildfires, we all have a part in preventing them. We can be more careful ourselves, and whoever and wherever we are, we can influence others to use more care with fires.

Campfires

Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves. Pile any extra wood away from the fire.
Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.
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 the campfire small. A good bed of coals or a small fire surrounded by rocks give plenty of heat. Scrape away litter, duff and any burnable material within a 10-foot diameter circle. This will keep a small campfire from spreading.
Be sure your match is out. Hold it until it is cold. Break it so you can feel the charred portion before discarding it.
Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread.
Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. Move rocks, there may be burning embers underneath.
Stir the remains, 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 and sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cooled.
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.

Lanterns, Stoves, and Heaters

Cool all lanterns, stoves, and heaters 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.

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.

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 if used in or near grass, brush, or a wooded area. To make sure that the spark arrester is functioning properly, check with the dealer or contact your local wildland fire service office.

Smoking

When smoking is permitted outdoors, safe practice requires 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 vehicle, and don't empty the ashtray on the ground.

Household Trash

If you must burn trash, don’t pile it on the ground. It will not burn completely and will be easily blown around. Local fire officials can recommend a safe receptacle for burning trash. It should be placed in a cleared area, away from overhead branches or wires.

Never attempt to burn aerosol cans; heated cans will explode. Flying metal from an exploding can might cause an injury. Burning trash scattered by such an explosion has caused the spread of many fires

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