CAMPFIRE AND FIRE SAFETY
www.eugenecarsey.com
Free Campgrounds in the USA

Smokey Bear
Smokey Bear

Sitting around the campfire telling
stories that make great childhood
memories. Camping and campfires
are like a tradition and are used for
cooking and warmth.

CAMPERS!!! Do not burn trash
(metals, cans, glass bottles, plastics,
food scraps, Hazardous Materials, ect.,)
in firerings.  No pallets with nails. BURN
CHARCOAL OR WOOD ONLY.

Clean out firerings when done. Dispose
of ALL trash in dumpsters provided. DO
NOT place BBQ's, hot plates or open flame
of any type on tabletops.

Help keep this area clean.

NEVER
- Burn toxic or non-combustible
material ie. NO GLASS, METAL,
TIRES, FURNITURE, or PALLETS.
- Leave trash behind in the firering
- Leave a campfire unattended or warm
embers behind.
- Build a fire too near tents, campers, or
structures.
- Have a campfire when special restrictions
are in effect.

ALWAYS
- Know and follow any special fire
restrictions that may be in effect.
- Burn only wood, paper, or similar
combustible material.
- Keep campfires small or at least
to a reasonable size.
- Make sure your fire is "dead-out",
use water and stir the coals.
- Clean unburned material out of your
firering and dispose of properly.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
KNOW WHAT FIRE RESTRICTIONS
ARE IN EFFECT

Recommended Equipment
• Shovel with 8" blade and at
least 26 inches long
• 5 gallons of Water
• Axe
• A fire extinguisher is recommended.
• A pair of leather gloves are a good idea.
Above equipment may be required by law.

Never leave your campfire unattended.
Extinguish with water only. Covering
with rocks and debris is ineffective.
Make sure your fire is completely extinguished
After thoroughly drowning the fire with water,
stir and feel... hold hand over coals to be sure
the fire is completely extinguished.

Burnt Down Information Sign
This used to be a campground...

Don't burn or start a campfire in windy
conditions.

Use existing fire rings when possible.

When building a campfire clear the area
of combustible materials, such as pine
needles, dry grasses, and vegetation.

Keep fires small and reasonable sized.

Use only down and dead wood for camp-
fires, unless otherwise restricted. (Snags or
dead standing trees are home to wildlife)

Never use gas or flammable liquids to start
your fire. Crumple some newspaper with
kindling.

Supervise all children and pets to prevent
any accidents.

Don't wear flammable or loose clothing
near a fire. Know how to put out a clothing
fire. STOP, DROP and ROLL.

Buy only a flame-resistant tent.
Tents should be 15' or more from campfire.
(Tents should be upwind so sparks don't
blow onto it)

Forest fire on Lockwood Valley Road
Forest fire on Lockwood Valley Road

TIP:
We save the melted ice water from the
cooler to extinguished the fire, instead
of using the valuable drinking water.

Crush Smokes
These are old school rules telling you
to litter. Cigarette butts are considered
littering, not that it would be the worst
thing in the world.

In extreme fire conditions smoking may
be forbidden or restricted to vehicles.
Only smoke in areas clear of combustible
materials.

In recent years the fire dangers have increased
and the fire restrictions are more stricter, in
some cases there have been complete fire bans.
(Including smoking cigarettes, ect.)

CALIFORNIA:
A California Campfire Permit is required
at all times for all fires, including wood
fires, barbecues and wood stoves, outside of
designated Campfire Use Sites.

Campfire Use Sites are Forest Service
recreation sites where you may use an open
wood fire or a barbecue. Campfire Use
Sites are listed on the Forest Recreation
Map, and the list is available at Forest
Service offices and on the Forest website.

Seasonal Fire Restrictions prohibit the
use of wood fires and barbecues outside
of Campfire Use Sites. They also restrict
smoking to within vehicles and Campfire
Use Sites or cleared areas. Under some
conditions, wood fires and barbecues may
be prohibited in all areas of the national
forest, including within Campfire Use Sites.

Developed Campgrounds have tables,
fire rings and more modern vault or flush
toilets. Access is from a paved road, and
interior roads and spurs are usually paved
or treated for dust control. Most are
Campfire Use Sites.

Primitive Camps have metal or concrete
fire ring, may have tables and primitive
vault toilets, and do not have water.

Camping outside of Developed Camp-
grounds and Primitive Camps is allowed
except within Restricted Use Areas and
within 1/4 mile of a Developed Campground
or Primitive Camp. Within Restricted Use
Areas camping is allowed only in Developed
Campgrounds and Primitive Camps.

big Meadow Firpit
Firepit with Grill

NOTE:
We went to a camping supply store
and bought the cheapest ax possible.
It looked nice and only cost $7.00,
but when we actually used it, the blade
went instantly dull and the wood handle
broke in half... don't waste money on
such equipment.

TIP:
It is recommended to sharpen the blade
of your shovel. Use a metal file. It only
takes a couple minutes. It will take less
effort to dig a hole with a sharpened shovel
blade.

Don't burn pallets and demolition wood.
Usually they contain chemicals that are
released into the air when burned. Also,
you are left with a pile of nails, giving
some unsuspecting person a flat tire.

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CAMPING ADVICE AND TIPS

TOURIST PHOTOS

It is common to find abandoned campfires
that are still smoldering. We even watched
some campers throw all the left over wood
onto the fire before leaving. (That would be
considered felony arson if they got caught)

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Know the rules and take all precautions
CAMPFIRE AND FIRE SAFETY