Practical fire safety guidance for Scouts and outdoor groups, covering safe fire lighting, campfires, cooking fires, equipment, supervision and emergency procedures.
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Fire lighting should only be taught with appropriate adult supervision, suitable equipment, a properly prepared fire area and permission to have a fire at the location. Always follow current Scout guidance, local restrictions and the landowner’s rules. Keep water or another suitable means of extinguishing the fire immediately available, and never leave…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Never compromise fire safety just because you are struggling to light a fire. Only light fires where they are permitted, use an appropriate fire area, keep water or another suitable means of extinguishing the fire nearby, and follow local rules and landowner requirements. If conditions are unsafe — particularly during very dry,…
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. What Is a Campfire? Few things are more closely associated with camping than a campfire. A campfire can provide warmth, light and a place to cook. It can also…
Putting Your Fire Out Safely Lighting a fire is an important outdoor skill. Maintaining one is another. But knowing when and how to put it out properly is just as important. A fire that appears to have gone out can still contain extremely hot embers underneath the ash. These can remain hot for a long…
Keeping Your Fire Burning Lighting a fire is only the beginning. Once you’ve successfully built and lit a fire, you need to know how to keep it burning properly. This is where fire maintenance comes in. A well-maintained fire should provide the heat and light you need without becoming unnecessarily large, smoky or difficult to…
Staying Safe Around Fire Fire is one of the most useful skills you can learn outdoors. It can provide warmth, light and a way to cook, and a well-managed campfire can be a memorable part of camping or a Scout activity. But fire should always be treated with respect. Knowing how to light a fire…
