How to know if your campfire is completely out
Even before you head out to the woods for camping or hunting, there are a few fire safety tips you should know.
“Be conscientious about anything that could ignite grass. I see people with cigarettes walking out, they’ll pitch cigarettes. Be aware of the exhaust system on your vehicles when you’re parking your vehicles,” said Swan Valley Fire Protection Unit 2 chief, Oak Vonseggern.
A simple thing like parking your vehicle on the side of the road in tall grass could light the grass on fire.
“An exhaust system or a cigarette dropped will get them going,” said Vonseggern.
While you’re out in the woods, there’s one main idea to spark your safety.
“Make sure that your campfires are completely out,” said Vonseggern.
Step 1: Cover the fire completely with water
Step 2: Spread the coals/wood out with a tool and mix embers with soil
Step 3: Scrape the coal or wood on the burned parts to make sure there is no more heat
Step 4: Hover your hand over the coal/wood to make sure there is isn’t any heat coming from it
Step 5: Physically touch the coal or wood with the back of your hand to make sure it’s completely cool
Step 6: Add more water
Remember your fire is not completely out until it’s cooled.
These simple steps could prevent a larger fire than the one you created.
“That fire will get in there and creep around and it will just of smolders until it gets good oxygen and then it will light the tree on fire that it’s next to,” said Vonseggern.
