Stay Safe By Following These Wyoming Campfire Safety Tips

If you enjoy camping with a campfire, having a bonfire, or cooking over an open flame, you have a responsibility to ensure you follow fire safety protocols. I put out an article on how to check all of the fire restrictions, not just your town, county, state, or federal, but all of them. They don't always all match up, so you need to check them before you build a fire.

READ MORE: How To Check All Of Wyoming's Fire Restrictions

Keep in mind that restrictions can change, and just because there were no restrictions last week doesn't mean there won't be this week. Even without restrictions, you should still use caution when choosing where to build your fire.

If you've checked the restrictions and you're clear to build a fire, there are a few more fire-safety considerations to keep in mind. Remember that Smokey the Bear is a great fire safety resource.

Here are tips for campfire safety.

•  Whenever possible, use an existing fire pit or fire ring.
• Clear a 10 ft radius area surrounding your fire of debris.
  • Leaves
  • Needles
  • Sticks
  • Low-hanging branches
• Ensure the weather is favorable for a fire.
• Never leave your fire unattended.
• Always completely extinguish your fire.
  • Drown
    • Pour lots of water, dirt, and/or sand on the fire until the hissing stops
  • Stir
    • Stir the water into the embers of the fire. Stir and scrape all embers off any leftover sticks or logs.
  • Drown
    • Add more water, dirt, and/or sand until the fire area is cool.
  • Feel
    • Check that all embers are extinguished and the fire area is cool.

There’s nothing quite like enjoying the great outdoors with a roaring fire, gooey s’mores, and a night sky full of stars. But it's your responsibility to follow these tips to ensure campfire safety.