20111Family Campers and RVers

If a fire gets out of control it can be dangerous for people and wild animals. With these easy tips from Smokey the Bear, you can make sure that never happens ! 20112Family Campers and RVers

Basic Campfire Safety Never Leave a Fire Unattended Put Your Match in the Fire Keep Extra Wood Far Away Keep a Fire Bucket and Shovel Nearby Use a Campfire Pit 20113Family Campers and RVers

USE A CAMPFIRE PIT 20114Family Campers and RVers

Use a Campfire Pit  If a fire pit is available, build your fire there.  If there is no pit, dig a small pit in an area that isn’t under any tree branches.  Remove any twigs, branches or grasses nearby that could catch fire.  The ground should be clear down to the dirt five feet all the way around your pit.  The best kind of fire pit has stones or a metal ring encircling it Family Campers and RVers

KEEP A BUCKET AND SHOVEL NEARBY 20116Family Campers and RVers

Keep a Fire Bucket and Shovel Nearby Whenever you build a campfire, you should have a pail of water and shovel nearby.  Water to put on the fire to put out the flames.  Shovel to throw dirt on the fire, in case it gets out of control. In kindness to the little animals in your campground, place a stick in the water bucket, so any critter that falls in can climb back out again Family Campers and RVers

KEEP EXTRA WOOD FAR AWAY 20118Family Campers and RVers

Keep Extra Wood Far Away  Your woodpile should be at least five feet away from the fire.  Keep your woodpile upwind to prevent any sparks from igniting it Family Campers and RVers

PUT YOUR MATCH IN THE FIRE Family Campers and RVers

Put Your Match In The Fire Use caution when lighting the fire.  Gasoline is never safe to start a fire.  vapors spread and ignite.  Lighter fluid should only be used before the fire is lit to prevent the flames from flowing back to the can. After lighting your fire, put the match in it.  Never toss away a match that is still hot or warm Family Campers and RVers

NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED Family Campers and RVers

Never Leave a Fire Unattended This is the most important rule of all. Never leave your fire unwatched, even for a minute. When it is time for bed, extinguish the fire completely Family Campers and RVers

Extinguishing the Fire  Douse the fire with water.  Stir the ashes to look for smouldering embers.  Redouse it with water  Shovel dirt over the ashes to smother them. It is better to put a lot of water on the fire than not enough Family Campers and RVers

REAL STORIES Family Campers and RVers

May to June 2011  Springerville, Arizona  When forest officials were first called to the fire May 29, they noted the fire near a campfire. A single campfire likely sparked the largest blaze in Arizona history 2011Family Campers and RVers16

October 6, 2011  Humboldt Township, Michigan  A wildfire burned in western Marquette County.  The fire was about 12 acres in size. Officials suspect it may have started from a campfire. 2011Family Campers and RVers17

May 8, 2009  Colorado, Manchester Creek Drainage  Burned about 10 acres Caused by a camp fire that was not properly extinguished. 2011Family Campers and RVers18

July 2009  Denver, Colorado  Fire managers discovered over 20 unattended campfires in July in and around the Salida area alone. Five of those fires leapt past the fire ring boundaries and began wildfires. 2011Family Campers and RVers19

TAKE PRECAUTIONS AT ALL TIMES  In two of the cases presented, it had recently snowed  Wet weather may not prevent the spread of fires  Do not let mild weather cause you to be lazy in putting out your campfire Even if it is not windy when you leave the fire, a gust could re-spark the fire and spread it outside of the pit. 2011Family Campers and RVers20

Take the Smokey Bear Pledge I pledge to :  BE SMART WHENEVER I GO OUTDOORS  To use caution and common sense before lighting any fire.  To understand that any fire I or my friends create could become a wildfire.  To understand and practice proper guidelines whenever I or my friends create a fire outdoors.  To never, ever leave any fire unattended. 2011Family Campers and RVers21

 To make sure any fire that I or my friends create is properly and completely extinguished before moving on.  To properly extinguish and discard of smoking materials.  To be aware of my surroundings and be careful when operating equipment during periods of dry or hot weather.  To speak up and step in when I see someone in danger of starting a wildfire. 2011Family Campers and RVers22

2011Family Campers and RVers23 Sign the pledge online