safety tips to Keep Your Backyard firepit or Campfire memorable, in a good way

If you love to gather around a backyard firepit with family and friends, it’s important to understand the fire laws in your area, as well as safety precautions. When away from home – whether you’re backpacking, camping or renting a cabin – enjoying the warmth of a crackling campfire is one of the best ways to end the day’s adventures. Summer and fall are peak time for outdoor campfires, and it also marks the height of wildfire season. It is crucial to recognize the responsibilities of having a campfire, including the best practices for building, maintaining, and extinguishing your fire.

Understanding the basics of fire safety helps keep you and others from harm — and it helps prevent backyard blazes or wildfires. Prepare for your next firepit or campfire with these five things you should know to keep your fire safe and ensure everyone has an enjoyable night!

How to Safely Build a Campfire

No matter what type of campfire you build, safety should be top priority. Fires are often unpredictable, and all safety precautions should be taken.

If you’re building a campfire at a campground, there are usually designated fire rings or grills provided. Use them to keep the fire contained and away from trees, brush and tents. If there is no fire ring provided, there are still steps you can take to contain the campfire.

Check with campground management to make sure fires are allowed. If you’re camping on an undeveloped site, check with the agency that administers the land, such as the U.S. Forest Service, as a campfire permit may be required.

Contain the Fire

• Place rocks around the outside.
• Dig a hole six inches deep and two feet across to place the fire and pile the dirt around the fire pit.
• Clear a circle ten feet wide of grass and leaves, making it only dirt around the fire.

How to Safely Build a Campfire

Tools and Supplies to Bring

• Shovel
• Pail for water
• Heat-resistant gloves

Materials Needed to Start the Fire

You’ll need three basic materials to start your campfire: tinder, kindling and wood. Tinder is the smallest and easiest burning materials used to get a campfire started. Tinder is dry and fluffy, which can make it a challenge to find in wet weather. It’s best to bring some with you instead of counting on finding it out in the woods. Tinder can take on many forms, including: 

• Wood shavings
• Wadded paper
• Strips of cardboard
• Commercial fire sticks or fire starters
• Dryer lint
• Wax

Backyard Fire Pit Safety

Even if you can’t get away for a big camping trip, you can have your own mini camping trip in your backyard! First, always check that it is legal for you to have a fire outside your home. Laws vary by city and state.

Many homeowners use portable, metal fire pits or a built-in stone fire pit to build campfires in their backyard. Whether you’re building a fire pit or you have a portable one, make sure it is a safe distance from your home. Just like camping in the woods, embers can fly from a fire in your backyard and come in contact with your home or garage. If you’re planning a backyard fire, check with your insurance agent to find out if your homeowner’s insurance policy covers this situation. It’s possible that your policy could extend, and it’s a good idea to find out.

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