Fire Site Preparation & Care

Environmental Considerations Fires should only be used when: a.There is an ample supply of dead wood on the ground. b.Wood used will be naturally replenished over time c.There is a safe location for a fire d.There is little for no potential for an adverse environmental impact e.They are permitted by law (What does this mean?)

Site Selection Consideration Sites may be suitable if: a.The site is pristine and shows little or no sign of human use b.There is little chance that it will be used again before the site has had a chance to recover c.The site is heavily impacted and use will not further impact it more The site is heavily impacted and use will not further impact it moreThe site is heavily impacted and use will not further impact it more d.There is no evidence of erosion and/or minimal potential for erosion to occur. e.An existing safe fireplace exists, in which case it should be used

Unsuitable Sites Locations to avoid include: a.Low-impact campsites which, with increased use, might become high-impact campsites b.Biologically sensitive areas such as those with many roots or easily damaged vegetation c.Areas with large or waterlogged rocks that may explode or be blackened by fire

Rationale for Fires Fires play a special role in the history of humans as well as the history of modern wilderness travel. Fires play a special role in the history of humans as well as the history of modern wilderness travel. Fires play a special role in the history of humans as well as the history of modern wilderness travel. Fires play a special role in the history of humans as well as the history of modern wilderness travel. Although there are various negative environmental impacts caused by fires, there is no reason why they cannot be used as long as one uses sound judgement when in the wilderness. Although there are various negative environmental impacts caused by fires, there is no reason why they cannot be used as long as one uses sound judgement when in the wilderness.

Functions of Fires The following functions are listed by priority. The following functions are listed by priority. As environmental concerns increase, the function of the fire must be of a higher priority to justify its use. As environmental concerns increase, the function of the fire must be of a higher priority to justify its use.

Priority #1 Heat for emergency warmth and drying: In an emergency situation, a fire could save your life In an emergency situation, a fire could save your life However, in most cases proper clothing and equipment help conserve the energy that good nutrition will provide. However, in most cases proper clothing and equipment help conserve the energy that good nutrition will provide.

Priority #2 Food Prep: This is a traditional and valid purpose for a fire, assuming environmental conditions permit. This is a traditional and valid purpose for a fire, assuming environmental conditions permit.

Priority #3 Aesthetic/Psychological Appeal: This is another traditional purpose for a fire This is another traditional purpose for a fire Environmental concerns in many parts of North America negate justification for fires based purely on Aesthetic grounds Environmental concerns in many parts of North America negate justification for fires based purely on Aesthetic grounds

Priority #4 Heat for general warmth & drying: Although heat is a pleasant by-product of a fire built for cooking or pleasure, it is difficult to justify it for warmth alone. Although heat is a pleasant by-product of a fire built for cooking or pleasure, it is difficult to justify it for warmth alone. Proper clothing, equipment, and good nutrition offer better alternatives to fires for comfort and warmth while in the the outdoors. Proper clothing, equipment, and good nutrition offer better alternatives to fires for comfort and warmth while in the the outdoors.

Soils

Litter It is composed of leaves, twigs and other natural organic matter. It is found on top of the ground. It is highly flammable. Care must be taken not to build a fire on top of or next to litter.

Duff Decomposing litter which may be compacted or compressed. Generally found under the litter but sometimes found on the surface, particularly where an area has been heavily camped and the litter has been trampled or picked clean for fires. It is flammable and burns slowly, usually without flame. Care must be taken not to build fires on duff, as duff fires can burn for days undetected until something more combustible is ignited.

Mineral Soil Inorganic material made up of sand, gravel, and stones. Generally found under the duff, but sometimes found on or near the surface, particularly near streams and where trees have been uprooted.

Safety Considerations

General Considerations A safe location(which eliminates the need to reach over the fire) A safe fire Complete extinction of the fire

Specific Considerations In heavily camped area, one or more fire rings may be found. If a fire ring exists, it should be used as long as it is safe. If the site is not safe, it is better not to have any fire than create more impact within the area. If more than one fire ring exists in a campsite, it is advisable to leave a well- placed and clean one for others to use and then dismantle and reclaim the others. Always leave one in a high impact site. Otherwise, they may be built again in a more undesirable location.

Mound Fire Constructed with a layer of mineral soil collected from a streambed, uprooted trees or other areas of exposed mineral soil: -Spread at least three inches (8cm) of soil over an appropriate base such as a boulder or other area where the heat generated from the fire will not injure plant or animal life in the soil below. -If necessary, collect any litter or other readily combustible material away from the site to save for restoring the site later. -Insure that the area is larger than the anticipated fire (approximately to feet square or 30 cm.). -The site is now ready to build a fire.

Fire Pan Technique This is made the same way as a mound fire except that it is built on an artificial, non- flammable surface which further reduces the fire’s impact and aids in restoration. (A good fire pan can be made from a 3 x 3 foot section of an old forestry service fire shelter)

Fire Pits These are constructed by digging a hole into the mineral layer of soil: Collect all litter away from the site and store it for restoring the site latter. Dig out a square or circle of sod large enough for a fire. Water it if necessary to maintain the vegetation growing in it. Remove any remaining duff, (if there is no mineral soil within eight inches restore the site and look for an alternative one). Line the sides with mineral soil. The site is now ready for building a fire

Site Restoration The process of restoring the site to its natural condition before camp is broken to make it look as if there had been no fire there.

Site Restoration Cont’d Considerations before restoring the site: Be sure to burn the wood to ash, minimizing large chunks or burnt wood which will be difficult to restore Put the fire out the night before breaking camp. Cook on a stove the next morning.

Site Restoration Cont’d Make sure the fire is completely out by dousing with water and stirring until it is cool enough to touch with bare hands. Distribute ashes randomly through the woods. If more wood than necessary was collected, scatter it through the woods. If a mound fire was used, replace the mineral soil to its original location If a fire pit was used replace the soils in the reverse order that it was removed, taking care to restore the litter layer and blending it in with the surrounding area. Water the sod well. The major problem with fire pit restoration is their tendency to sink and form a shallow but noticeable depression in the surface. This can be corrected by stamping the mineral soil before the sod is replaced and/or leaving the sod plug slightly raised to allow for settling.