Learn essential outdoor fire safety skills covering safe fire locations, equipment, supervision, fuel, fire management and responsible campfire practices.
A campfire should always be planned and supervised so that it remains manageable. However, outdoor conditions can change quickly, and a fire can sometimes become larger or behave differently from expected. Flames may spread beyond the fire area, burning material may be blown by the…
Hot, dry weather can significantly increase the risk associated with outdoor fires. Grass, leaves, bracken and other vegetation can dry out quickly, making them easier to ignite. A fire that would normally be manageable can also spread much more rapidly when the surrounding environment is…
Wind can make an outdoor fire much more difficult to manage. A fire that appears calm in still conditions can behave very differently when the wind picks up. Flames can lean to one side, sparks can travel further and burning material can be disturbed or…
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,…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Never compromise fire safety just because you are struggling to light a fire. Only light fires where they are permitted, use an appropriate fire area, keep water or another suitable means of extinguishing the fire nearby, and follow local rules and landowner…
Putting Your Fire Out Safely Lighting a fire is an important outdoor skill. Maintaining one is another. But knowing when and how to put it out properly is just as important. A fire that appears to have gone out can still contain extremely hot embers…
Staying Safe Around Fire Fire is one of the most useful skills you can learn outdoors. It can provide warmth, light and a way to cook, and a well-managed campfire can be a memorable part of camping or a Scout activity. But fire should always…
