SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 14: Leave a Fire Site Safe

Lighting a fire outdoors is only half the job. Before you leave a campsite, you need to make absolutely sure the fire is completely extinguished and that no hidden heat or embers remain to start another fire after you’ve gone. Ash can look cold on the surface while embers underneath are still hot enough to ignite any dry grass, leaves or other materials.

For this challenge, you’ll practise the checks needed to leave a fire site safe, whether you’ve been cooking at camp or enjoying a supervised campfire.

Your Challenge

Demonstrate how to extinguish a small outdoor campfire properly and check the site before leaving. Your aim is to make sure the fire is completely out, with no glowing embers, smoke or remaining heat.

Only attempt this challenge where fires are permitted, with the landowner’s permission where required, and with a responsible adult or experienced leader supervising if you’re not confident managing a fire safely. Never light a fire simply to complete the challenge if conditions make it unsafe.

What You’ll Need

• A suitable supply of water
• A container for pouring water safely, if needed
• A fire site that you are authorised to use
• Heat-resistant gloves, if appropriate
• A responsible adult or experienced leader to supervise where necessary

Take the Challenge

Step 1: Stop adding fuel

Finish cooking and stop adding wood well before you intend to leave. Allow the fire to die down naturally where practical, but don’t assume that a small fire or a pile of ash has gone out just because the flames have disappeared.

Step 2: Pour water over the fire

Slowly pour water over the fire and the surrounding fuel and ash. Keep your face and hands back, as hot steam can rise suddenly when water reaches burning material. Avoid leaning directly over the fire, and pour from a safe position.

Step 3: Stir the ashes

Using a suitable tool, carefully stir the wet ashes and embers so that material underneath is exposed. Add more water, then stir again. Pay attention to partly burned sticks, charcoal and any areas where embers may be buried.

Step 4: Repeat until everything is cold

Continue adding water and stirring until there are no flames, glowing embers or smoke, and no heat remains. Don’t rely on the colour or appearance of the ash alone. If you can still detect warmth, continue soaking and stirring. Never use your bare hands to test whether a fire is out.

Step 5: Check the surrounding area

Look around the whole fire site, including the edges, nearby leaves, grass and any material that may have caught a stray spark. If anything is smouldering, extinguish it completely. If the fire has spread beyond your control, move to safety and call 999.

Step 6: Leave the site responsibly

Follow any site-specific instructions about ash and fire remains. Don’t scatter hot embers, bury a warm fire or leave burning material where it could reignite. Once the fire is completely cold, leave the site in the condition required by the landowner or campsite. Where appropriate, remove rubbish and avoid damaging the surrounding ground.

Safety

Never leave a fire unattended while it is burning or cooling. Water is usually the safest way to extinguish a small campfire, but use it carefully to avoid steam burns and splashing hot material. If water is unavailable, don’t assume that covering the fire with soil or sand makes it safe; embers can remain hot underneath the surface. Get suitable help rather than leaving a fire that you cannot confidently extinguish.

Don’t attempt this challenge in very dry or windy conditions, or anywhere fires are prohibited. If you are supervising children, keep them well away from the fire and hot ashes until the site has been confirmed safe.

Check Your Results

Before declaring the site safe, ask yourself:

• Have all flames disappeared?
• Have I soaked and stirred the ashes and exposed any hidden embers?
• Is there any smoke, glowing material or remaining heat?
• Have I checked the edges of the fire site and the surrounding ground?
• Have I followed the site’s rules for dealing with the remains?

If you are unsure about any answer, the fire site is not ready to be left. Continue extinguishing it or get help from someone more experienced.

Complete the Challenge

To complete Challenge 14, demonstrate the correct process for extinguishing a permitted, supervised campfire and checking the site afterwards. You can take a photograph of the fully extinguished site once it is safe to approach, or photograph your completed fire-safety checklist.

Never take a photograph at the expense of safety, and don’t approach hot ashes simply to get better evidence.

How to Submit Your Challenge

1. Go to your SGUK member profile.
2. Open the Social Activity area.
3. Upload a photograph of your evidence to your activity wall.
4. Add the hashtag #SGUKChallenge14.
5. Share your post for evidence verification.

Once you’ve shared your evidence and it has been verified, the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 14 is complete and the completed challenges figure will be updated on your profile.

Challenge 14 Checklist

Want to Push Yourself?

Explain to someone else why a fire can still be dangerous after the flames have disappeared. Then describe what you would do if you found a smouldering fire site that someone else had left behind.

Remember: if a fire is spreading or you cannot safely control it, keep clear, warn others and call 999. Don’t put yourself at risk trying to deal with a fire that is beyond your ability.

What’s Next?

You have now practised one of the most important responsibilities of outdoor firecraft: making sure the site is safe before you leave. You can revisit SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 13: Learn the 3-3-3 Rule to refresh your understanding of survival priorities, or explore the other SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenges and choose another skill to practise.

Learn. Practise. Master.

That’s what the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge is all about.