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Submitted by Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Being careful with campfires could save tax dollars and reduce the wildfire risk to people enjoying the outdoors. There is something about a campfire that nearly everyone finds enjoyable. Campfires seem to encourage laughter, friendships and family time. They also result in some of the best hot dogs and toasted marshmallows one can find. Campfires can also be forest fire starters. For example, during the summer of 2007, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment staff fought 151 human-caused forest fires. A significant number of these human caused fires were a result of out-of-control campfires. "Basic human carelessness accounts for a large number of human-caused wildfires," says Larry Fremont, the Ministry of Environment's Fire Education and Prevention Coordinator. "Fighting those fires cost the province's taxpayers millions of dollars. Being careful when burning and putting campfires out could contribute to a huge savings of tax dollars and reduce the wildfire risk to people enjoying the outdoors." The first step in building a safer campfire is selecting a site. If you are building a campfire in a Saskatchewan park or recreation site, in most cases the only place you can do so is in an approved barbecue or an approved fire pit, supplied by the park. Washtubs or other types of commercially marketed fireplaces are not permitted. Not allowed While you are not allowed to build a campfire on the ground in most provincial parks, you are allowed to do so in some wilderness parks. "The best spot for a campfire is in a contained fireplace or pit. If these aren't available, build the fire on bare soil, rock or sand," says the ministry's Fremont. "You should also ensure the campfire site is at least three metres away from other things that will burn, such as grass and trees. The size and the type of material being burned will affect the size of the safety zone. If you are planning to build a big fire the safety zone should be expanded." Other safety precautions include placing rocks around the outside of the campfire before starting the fire and placing a grill over the top to prevent sparks from escaping. Campfires become wildfires when people stoke up the fire and leave it unattended, leave it burning when they leave the area or dump hot ashes on the ground. Take care not to build a campfire on peat bog or other sites where the soil has a high organic content, even in the winter. Although fires built on these ground types may burn down and appear to be out, roots and peat could still be burning under the ground. These fires give off very little smoke and are very difficult to detect. This kind of fire may burn well into the fall and even through the winter and grow to become a wildfire the following spring. "The key thing is to completely put your campfire out. That means making sure you have lots of water on hand," says Fremont. "Drown your fire and stir the coals with a stick and roll back any rocks around the fire to make sure the fire is not burning under them. Drown the fire again. You can check burned material with your hands. "Doing this on a small campfire is the only foolproof way of making sure it is completely out. We also recommend that you start putting campfires out well before you leave a site. This gives you time to monitor the fire."
