Many of us enjoy a good campfire. It has so many uses - heating, cooking, roasting marshmallows and providing story-telling atmosphere. Have you thought about a safer way to have a warm, crackling fire in your camping area? Below are a few basic campfire tips to help you and your family have a safe and fun outing:

• Build your campfires away from overhanging branches, rotten stumps, shrubs and dry grass and leaves. Keep it at least 25 feet from all structures.
• Clear the immediate area surrounding your campfire site approximately 8-10 ft radius.
• Circle the pit with rocks or be sure it already has a metal fire ring.
• Keep campfires small and do not let them get out of hand. (2”x2”x2” in size)
• Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.
• Stack extra firewood upwind and away from the fire.
• After lighting the fire do not discard the match until it is cold. Douse it to be sure.
• Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread.
• When extinguishing the fire drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks, there may be burning embers underneath. Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again. No water? Use dirt.
• Do not bury your coals – they can smoulder and break out again!
• Teach your children to respect fire.