LOCALadk Magazine

Spring 2020 LOCALadk Magazine 5 LOCALadk Campfire Safety in the Adriondacks A message from the Department of Environmental Conservation For 75 years, Smokey Bear has been encouraging back- countr y visitors to do their part in preventing forest fires. While the "only you" message is widely known, there is still a lot we can learn about campfire safety. In order to protect our wildlife, their wilderness habitats, and yourself from dangerous and damaging forest fires, take these three steps before building a campfire on your next Adirondack back- countr y trip. Step 1: Decide if you need a fire There are several reasons why you might want a fire in the backcountr y. Some reasons include: light, warmth, smudge, to cook over, and/or for social purposes. Knowing what pur- pose a fire will ser ve can help you decide if you need a fire at all. If you have headlamps and flashlights for light, layers and blankets for warmth, and a stove to cook over, you likely don't need to light a fire. While campfires are fun and pro- vide ambiance, lighting one for social purposes might not be worth the risk. In addition to identif ying your campfire intentions, ask yourself the following questions. • Is it legal? Before you head out, check local and state land regulations to make sure fires are permitted where you will be camping, and check if there is a burn ban in ef- fect. • Is it safe? Only light a fire if it will be safe for you, the land, and wildlife. Keep fires small, and remove all flam- mable fuels down to the mineral soil within three feet of the fire. Practice fire building in a safe, controlled environ- ment before attempting fire building in the backcountr y. • Is there water on hand? Don't light a fire unless you have enough water on hand to put it out completely. • Is there plenty of fuel? Make sure there is enough wood in the area to sustain a fire without depleting the land- scape. Always use wood that is dead, already downed, smaller than your wrist, and not from the immediate vicin- ity of your campsite. Never cut down live or dead trees for firewood. • Is the group going to be responsible? Backcountr y fires should stay small. Large fires are unnecessar y and can quickly get out of hand. Only light a fire if you are confi- dent the situation will stay under control. Step 2: Choose where to build your fire Once you have determined that you need a fire and can build one safely, it is time to decide where to build. Always use a designated fire ring or fireplace if one is provided. There are several other campfire techniques you can use if a designated spot is not provided. Mound fires, pit fires, and fire pans are all acceptable methods so long as they are prop- erly created and cleaned up. Educate yourself on these fire building methods and practice them before attempting them in the backcountr y. No matter what technique you use, make sure there are no tree limbs or other flammable materials in proximity or hanging overhead. Step 3: Clean up carefully Even more important than how you create your campfire is how you put it out. Always make sure the fire is completely out before you leave or go to sleep. Never leave a fire un- attended or unquenched. Keeping fires small and contained will allow for easier extinguishing. To be considered extin- guished, embers and ash should be cool enough to handle with your bare hands. Crush any large remaining coals once they have cooled and are no longer smoking or smoldering. Never burn garbage or leave garbage in a fireplace. Campfires are a time-honored camping tradition. When built, maintained, and extinguished properly, they can be a safe and enjoyable addition to your backcountr y experience. By following these three steps, you can help minimize camp- fire impacts and prevent forest fires in the Adirondacks.

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