While outdoors this summer, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry wants to remind citizens of some important notes to remember and tips if you are out camping and decide to make a campfire.
- Pick a spot for your fire away from your tent, gear, and anything flammable.
- Don’t burn dangerous things like aerosol cans, pressurized containers, glass or aluminum cans. They could explode, shatter and/or create harmful fumes or dust.
- Keep your fire small and have water, a shovel, or other tools to put out the fire, just in case.
- Never cut whole trees or branches, dead or alive.
- Dead standing trees are usually a home for birds or other wildlife.
- Make sure that an adult is always around to keep an eye on the fire and be mindful of the weather. If the wind gets too strong, the risk of your campfire getting away from you increases.
- Before you leave your fire, be sure that it is completely out. Put your fire out by drowning it with water, stirring it up, and repeating until what remains is cool to the touch. You can feel the embers with your hand and it’s too hot to touch, then it’s too hot to leave.
- Pick up your trash before you leave!
Stay cool this summer and be safe. For more campfire tips and how to make a campfire, visit https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety.
