Hope Sunrise Volunteer Fire Department

Hope Alaska

Don't let this

EMS 

StorePutting Out Your Fire

Your fire should only be as big as it needs to be so that once the Campfire is over, the fire has begun to burn down. Here are some guidelines to ensure it is completely out and the environment safe.

As the fire burns down, heap the chunks of burning wood [and embers and coals] that remain into a pile so they are completely consumed by the flames, leaving only ashes to dispose of when your fire has finished.

The fire should be out, and that means "COLD OUT". What is left of your fire, and the ground around it, must be cool enough for you to touch it with your bare hands. Here are several methods to put out the fire.

Extinguishing With Water

Sprinkle (not pour) water on the fire. Use the back of your fingers to flick water onto embers. Stir the wetted sticks, coals and ashes with a stick. Separate them and turn over anything smouldering. Wet them down again until the coals and ground around the fire are COLD OUT.

Extinguishing Without Water

If water is not available to put out your fire, work soil or sand into the embers. The soil should have nothing in it that will burn. Stir the soil into the fire, spreading the sticks and coals. Remove embers from larger pieces by scraping them with a stick, or rub them against the ground until they are out. Cover the coals and ashes with more soil and work them together. Test everything with your hands to ensure it is COLD OUT.

If you've made you own campfire site, return the site to its original condition. This may mean carefully replacing any sod or topsoil you have removed, and making it look as if nobody has been there.