Choosing a Safe Place for a Campfire

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 important part of responsible outdoor skills. It encourages Scouts to look at the whole area before thinking about lighting the fire.

The safest option will sometimes be not to have a fire at all. If the weather, ground conditions, location or site rules make a fire unsuitable, changing the activity is the responsible choice.

Check Whether Fires Are Allowed

Before choosing a fire site, find out whether fires are permitted.

Some campsites have designated fire areas, while others prohibit open fires completely. Restrictions may also apply during periods of very dry or hot weather.

Follow the rules of the campsite, landowner and relevant local authority.

Don’t assume that being outdoors automatically means you can light a fire.

If there is a designated fire area, use it rather than creating a new fire site elsewhere.

Use an Established Fire Area Where Possible

An established fire area is usually preferable to creating a new one.

A designated fire area should already take account of factors such as its position, surrounding ground and access to the site.

Using the same area also helps prevent unnecessary damage to vegetation and soil.

If there is no established fire area and fires are permitted, the leader should carefully assess whether there is a suitable location before proceeding.

Look at the Ground

The ground underneath and around a fire matters.

Choose a stable, non-combustible surface where possible.

Avoid areas covered in dry grass, leaves, pine needles or other easily ignited material.

Particular care is needed with peat, roots and organic ground. Heat can travel into these materials and potentially cause fire to spread beneath the surface.

Don’t assume that a fire which appears to be extinguished is safe if it has been built on unsuitable ground.

Keep Away From Vegetation

A campfire should have a clear area around it.

Keep it away from:

These materials can catch fire from flames, sparks or hot embers.

Dry vegetation can be particularly hazardous during periods of warm, settled weather.

If the surrounding area is very dry, consider whether having a fire is appropriate at all.

Watch for Overhanging Branches

Look above the proposed fire location as well as around it.

Trees and overhanging branches can create a fire hazard.

Heat and flames can damage branches, while sparks and embers can potentially ignite dry material.

Avoid placing a fire beneath low branches or close to overhanging vegetation.

Remember that a fire can become larger than expected, particularly if additional fuel is added.

Consider the Wind

Wind is one of the most important factors to consider before lighting a campfire.

A breeze can change the direction of smoke and flames.

Stronger winds can carry sparks and embers away from the fire, potentially starting secondary fires.

Look at how the wind is moving before deciding where to position a fire.

If the wind is strong, gusty or unpredictable, the safest decision may be to cancel the fire.

Don’t rely on makeshift windbreaks to make an otherwise unsuitable fire safe.

Keep Away From Tents

Campfires should be positioned well away from tents and other combustible structures.

Tents can contain synthetic fabrics and materials that may ignite or melt if exposed to heat or flames.

Keep sleeping areas, shelters, camping equipment and bags away from the fire area.

Don’t use a tent, shelter or other camping structure as a windbreak for a fire unless it has specifically been designed and approved for that purpose.

A fire and a sleeping area should be treated as separate parts of the campsite.

Consider Nearby Equipment

Look around the proposed fire site for anything that could be damaged by heat, sparks or flames.

This could include:

Keep unnecessary equipment away from the fire area.

This also gives Scouts a clear working space and reduces the likelihood of someone tripping over equipment while carrying wood or working near the fire.

Think About People Moving Around

A fire site shouldn’t create a problem for normal movement around the campsite.

Avoid positioning a fire where people need to walk directly past it.

Think about where Scouts will sit, where leaders will stand and how fuel will be carried to the fire.

There should be enough space for people to move safely without stepping over the fire area or getting too close to the flames.

This becomes particularly important during evening campfires when visibility is reduced.

Keep a Clear Area Around the Fire

The immediate area around the fire should be kept clear.

Don’t allow bags, coats, rope, wood piles or other equipment to accumulate around the edge.

Store additional firewood far enough away that sparks and embers are unlikely to reach it.

Keeping the area organised also makes it easier for leaders to supervise the fire and deal with an emergency if something goes wrong.

Consider Where Smoke Will Go

Smoke isn’t only an annoyance.

It can make people cough, irritate the eyes and make it difficult to see.

When choosing a location, consider where smoke is likely to travel.

Don’t position a fire where smoke will regularly blow towards tents, buildings, roads or areas occupied by other people.

Smoke can also affect neighbouring campers, so be considerate of other people using the site.

Keep Away From Flammable Materials

Some materials should never be stored close to an open fire.

This includes flammable liquids, aerosols and other materials that could ignite when exposed to heat.

Fuel containers and similar equipment should be kept well away from flames and hot surfaces.

Don’t use petrol, lighter fluid or other unsuitable substances to try to make a fire easier to light.

A well-prepared fire should not require dangerous accelerants.

Consider Access to Water

Before lighting a fire, think about how it will be extinguished.

There should be a suitable method of controlling and extinguishing the fire available before it is lit.

Where appropriate, have water available close enough to use quickly, without creating another hazard.

Don’t put yourself in a situation where you need to search for water after a fire has already become difficult to control.

The exact fire-control arrangements will depend on the location, fire type and activity.

Don’t Rely on Water Alone

Water can be useful for extinguishing many campfires, but simply having a bucket nearby isn’t a complete fire-safety plan.

Think about the size of the fire, the ground beneath it and the materials being burned.

Some situations require other appropriate fire-control equipment or a different approach.

Leaders should be familiar with the equipment available at the site and understand how it should be used.

Check for Hidden Hazards

Before using an area for a fire, look carefully at the surroundings.

Check for:

A few minutes spent looking around can identify hazards that aren’t obvious at first glance.

Think About the Size of the Fire

The fire site should be appropriate for the size of fire being planned.

Don’t choose a small or confined location and then build a large campfire.

A larger fire needs more space around it and greater control over the surrounding area.

The best approach is usually to keep the fire no larger than necessary for its purpose.

A fire for cooking, for example, doesn’t need to be a huge campfire.

Fire Site Checks Before Lighting

Before lighting a campfire, the leader should be satisfied that:

The fire is permitted.

The location is suitable.

The ground is appropriate.

There is a clear area around the fire.

There are no dangerous overhead branches.

The weather conditions are suitable.

Tents and equipment are safely positioned away from the fire.

Suitable fire-control arrangements are available.

Everyone knows where they should be and how the fire will be supervised.

If any of these points can’t be dealt with satisfactorily, reconsider whether the fire should go ahead.

Choosing a Location in Woodland

Woodland needs particular care.

Trees, fallen leaves, branches and other organic material can all provide combustible material.

Avoid lighting fires beneath trees or close to low branches.

Don’t use living trees as a source of firewood.

Take particular care with leaf litter and dry woodland debris around the fire area.

A designated fire area is preferable where one is available.

Choosing a Location on Grass

Grass can appear harmless, but dry grass can ignite quickly.

Avoid lighting fires directly on long or dry grass.

Don’t assume that green grass means there is no fire risk.

During periods of dry weather, grass can become significantly more flammable.

If the ground conditions aren’t suitable, choose a different activity.

Choosing a Location Near Water

Being near water doesn’t automatically make a fire site safe.

There may be steep banks, slippery ground or a risk of people falling into the water.

Don’t position a fire so that people need to walk close to an edge to reach it.

If water is being kept nearby for fire control, make sure it can be accessed safely.

The fire should never create a new hazard around the water.

Choosing a Location on a Campsite

On an organised campsite, follow the site’s instructions.

Use designated fire areas where provided.

Respect restrictions on where fires can be lit and what fuel can be used.

Keep the fire away from tents, vehicles, buildings and shared facilities.

If you aren’t sure whether a particular area is suitable, ask the site operator or follow the site’s published guidance.

When the Best Location Is No Location

Sometimes the safest fire site is nowhere.

This can happen when:

Choosing not to light a fire is not a failure.

Knowing when an activity shouldn’t go ahead is an important outdoor skill.

Teaching Scouts to Assess a Fire Site

Leaders can involve Scouts in the assessment process without allowing them to make the final safety decision.

Ask Scouts to look at a proposed location and identify potential hazards.

Encourage them to look up, down and around.

Up: Are there branches or other overhead hazards?

Down: What is the ground made of? Is there dry vegetation, peat or another problem?

Around: Are there tents, equipment, people or combustible materials nearby?

This simple approach encourages Scouts to develop good observational habits.

Environmental Responsibility

Choosing a good fire site also protects the environment.

Avoid damaging vegetation or sensitive ground.

Don’t create unnecessary fire scars or new fire areas when an established location is available.

Use only suitable fuel and follow local rules about collecting or bringing firewood.

Keep fires appropriately small and extinguish them thoroughly.

A responsible outdoor activity should leave as little impact as reasonably possible.

Final Thought for Leaders

Fire safety begins before the first flame is lit.

Taking a few minutes to assess the location can prevent many of the problems associated with campfires. Look at the ground, the vegetation, the weather, nearby equipment and where people will move.

Most importantly, don’t feel that a planned campfire has to go ahead simply because it was part of the programme.

Good outdoor leadership means being prepared to change the plan when conditions aren’t right.