Learn essential outdoor fire safety skills covering safe fire locations, equipment, supervision, fuel, fire management and responsible campfire practices.
Smoke is an often-overlooked part of campfire safety. When people think about the dangers of a campfire, they usually think about flames, hot embers and burns. Smoke can also cause problems, particularly when a fire is producing a lot of it or wind is blowing it towards people. For Scouts and leaders, understanding smoke safety…
Campfires can be a memorable part of camping and outdoor activities, but children need clear boundaries and appropriate supervision around fire. Younger children may not fully understand how quickly flames can cause burns or how hot embers and equipment can remain after the flames disappear. They may also be curious about the fire and want…
A campfire should always be planned and supervised so that it remains manageable. However, outdoor conditions can change quickly, and a fire can sometimes become larger or behave differently from expected. Flames may spread beyond the fire area, burning material may be blown by the wind, or nearby vegetation may catch alight. Knowing what to…
Hot, dry weather can significantly increase the risk associated with outdoor fires. Grass, leaves, bracken and other vegetation can dry out quickly, making them easier to ignite. A fire that would normally be manageable can also spread much more rapidly when the surrounding environment is dry. For Scouts and leaders, this means that warm weather…
Wind can make an outdoor fire much more difficult to manage. A fire that appears calm in still conditions can behave very differently when the wind picks up. Flames can lean to one side, sparks can travel further and burning material can be disturbed or carried away from the main fire. For Scouts and leaders,…
Choosing where to have a campfire is one of the most important fire-safety decisions you can make. A well-managed fire in a suitable location is much easier to control than a fire built too close to tents, trees, dry vegetation or other hazards. For Scouts, learning how to assess a potential fire site is an…
⚠️ 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,…
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…
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…
