No S'more is Worth it

Currently, firefighters in Colorado are battling yet another forest fire. Here's the setting less than 25 miles from where I live...the Indian Gulch fire. 

Our dry, mountain climate sets the stage for such events, but when combined with some areas of severe pine beetle damage and years of fire suppression, opportunity for a massive incident is almost inevitable. Would you believe that almost 460,000 acres have burned this year. It's only March. Check here if you're curious to see where these fires are.

 Seems only appropriate to have a conversation about fire...as we head into the season of family vacations and camping excursions with friends. A campfire is the highlight of such adventures for many. There's nothing quite like gathering around the warmth of a fire, gazing at stars, possibly even cooking your dinner. It doesn't take but a minute for the fun and frolic to turn into something far more dangerous. As with most accidents, you only have to miss one step...look away for one second. Let's prevent that from happening this year. Let's teach our friends and kids to be responsible with flame by setting the example. We can take it seriously. Remember that, as Smokey tells us, "Only YOU can prevent forest fires!"

When to say NO
* If fires are prohibited in the area you're staying
     - check in advance with the park/rec area you're visiting to ask about policies
     - ask if firerings are already on site
* Weather conditions are dangerous
     - if there's excessive wind or you're visiting in a drought or heat wave, don't risk it.

Where to Build
* If fires are allowed and there's no fire pit
     - build at least 15 feet from trees, shrubs, tents etc
     - watch for low-hanging branches
     - be downwind

How to Build
     - clear around the site (about 10 ft in all directions)
     - dig a pit at least 1 ft deep
     - build up around the pit with rocks
     - make sure anything flammable is kept far away (extra wood, tents etc)
     - make sure you have water nearby (also a shovel/trowel)
     - always use pre-fallen wood

While it's Burning
     - NEVER leave your fire unattended. Even a trip to the port-a-tree can spell disaster for unattended fire.
     - keep an eye on kids and pets.
     - size matters. While fun for a while, a fire burning too large can become unmanageable too fast
     - don't ever burn aerosol or pressurized cans as they can explode

When You're Done
     - it's best to let your fire burn all the way down to ash.
     - don't just douse, drown all embers until the hissing stops
     - stir anything remaining in the pit until everything is wet and cold to the touch
     - don't leave logs. scrape embers away from them so as not to reignite

What if There's No Water Handy?
     - while water is preferred, you can use dirt with a few very important rules
          * mix dirt in slowly with your shovel/trowel
          * never bury a fire. it will continue to smolder underground.