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Call before you go!
Many Oregonians love the great outdoors, and no matter what the recreational
activity, sitting around a campfire is one of the special times we all enjoy. In the last five years, however, 584 campfires built on state
protected lands burned 1,615 acres and cost
$2.6 million to suppress. Here’s what you need to do to help reduce
these numbers:
Always call
your local fire district to assure that fires are allowed where
you’re going to camp. If they are allowed, here are a few suggestions to
help ensure that your campfires will be safe.
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When selecting a site for a campfire, avoid
areas near buildings, fallen trees, tree trunks, or low overhanging
branches.
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Scrape all leaves and litter away down to bare earth for at least
five feet on all sides of the fire. Surround your
campfire site with rocks.
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Build your campfire downwind and at a safe distance from your tent,
never
leave it unattended, and after you light it, thrown your match into
the fire. If any sparks escape the campfire, have a shovel or water
handy to put them out.
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The location of your
campsite will determine the fire tools that you will need to take
with you. But, at a minimum, always be prepared with a bucket (USFS
requires one gallon of water), shovel, and ax.
When it’s time to leave the campfire and head to bed or back to town, make
sure you put the campfire out – DEAD OUT!
Drown all embers,
sticks, and coals, especially those that might have fallen under the rocks
Stir the coals to
make sure all heat has been removed
Drown
the area
again
Please remember that wildfire prevention is your individual responsibility.
Be alert to weather conditions, especially wind; and ALWAYS be careful with fire. This way, we can all
Keep Oregon Green. |
