Campfires are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but they’re also dangerous if not handled properly. When you’re backpacking, it’s important to know how to put out a fire safely. Here are some tips for putting out your backpacking fire.
Gather the Firewood: Before you do anything else, begin by gathering all the firewood and other combustible materials away from the flames. This will allow more air flow and help the fire burn itself out faster.
Douse with Water: Once all of the wood is removed, it’s time to start dousing the fire with water or sand. Make sure you don’t use too much water as this can cause flooding or soil erosion in some areas.
Stir the Ashes: Once most of the flames have been extinguished, use a long stick to stir up the ashes and break apart any remaining embers. This will help cool them down and prevent any flare-ups.
Feel for Heat: After stirring up the ashes, feel around for heat spots that still remain. If you find any, add more water or sand until they cool down completely. It’s important to make sure that no hot spots remain before leaving your campfire area behind.
Cover with Dirt: Once you’ve ensured that all hot spots are gone, cover your campfire area with dirt or leaves to smother any remaining embers and extinguish them completely.
Conclusion: Putting out a backpacking fire safely is an important skill for anyone who enjoys spending time in nature. By gathering all combustible materials away from the flames, dousing them with water or sand, stirring up ashes and feeling for heat spots, and finally covering everything with dirt or leaves, you can ensure that your campfire is extinguished properly before leaving your campsite behind.