Leave No Trace Principle 5: How to Have a Campfire Without Starting a Wildfire

A campfire can be the best part of a night outdoors — but a careless one can start a catastrophic wildfire. People cause 80–90% of wildfires each year, so every campfire needs handling with care. Minimize Campfire Impacts is the fifth of the 7 Leave No Trace Principles, which are about leaving nature as untouched by your visit as you can, for your own safety and for everyone who comes after.

Image from the National Park Service / Neal Herbert

1. Should you have one at all?

Check first for fire bans or restrictions and the fire danger rating where you are. When conditions get too dangerous, bans are common — and they can change from day to day, so always follow the latest. Park websites and rangers have the current rules.

Always check for fire restrictions and bans. Image from the National Park Service / Jacob W Frank

2. Bring what a safe fire needs

• Local firewood — moving firewood can spread invasive species.
• An existing fire ring — in a park, use the designated ones.
• Enough water to put the fire out completely, kept close in case of emergency. Not every campground has water, so check ahead.

3. Never leave it

Things change in an instant. Someone should watch the fire the whole time; if everyone is leaving or going to bed, put it completely out first.

Image from the National Park Service's page on campfire impacts

4. Put it out — completely

Out means the burnt wood or charcoal is cool to the touch. The park service recommends "campfire soup": pour water on the fire, stir, and repeat until it is cool, so nothing can flare up later.

5. Have a Plan B

When in doubt, skip the fire. And plan for nights when fires are banned:

Always have a Plan B in case campfires are not allowed. Image from the National Park Service / Emily Ogden

Sources

Based on "I Didn't Know That! Leave No Trace Principle #5 – Minimize Campfire Impacts," National Park Service, part of the I Didn't Know That! series developed with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics; rewritten in hubnx's own words.