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How to Build a Safe Fire Circle

Page history last edited by Jason 8 years, 3 months ago

It's undesirable to build your own fire circle when you're out on the trail as it conflicts with low impact camping.  If you need to build a fire in a place without a fire ring, first consider:  How to Build a Mound Fire.   If you need to create your own fire circle, building the circle and doing it safely are one in the same.  

 

First create a fire control plan.  Prepare a bucket of water and plan on using some dirt from the circle in case of emergency.

 

Starting with a level area, with a rake or some other means, clear away any dead grass, sticks, leaves, pine straw, or any other dried vegetation for 8 to 10 feet around.  Create a bare area so that a stray ember will not start a fire outside the circle.  Additionally, make sure there are no roots in the way.  Roots under the ground can catch on fire and spread out causing a fire hazard several feet from your location.  

 

 

Next, dig down into the cleared soil several inches and set the loose dirt off to one side for use in case of emergency. You can mound the dirt around the sides of the pit to act as a firewall, or place large rocks around the edge of the pit to insulate the fire.  

 

Make a ring of rocks if one isn't already there. This will help to contain the fire and preventing forest fires.  Don't build your fire against a boulder or other rocks, as it may leave unsightly burn marks.  Also avoid rocks that might be saturated with water, as steam pressure buildup within the rocks can lead to explosive fracturing that may injure nearby people, so try to choose rocks from high and dry areas.

 

 


 

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