Nothing typifies a night out in the wilderness like an open campfire, and we encourage you to enjoy this American tradition by following these simple safety procedures...

Follow Park Rules
You might want to call ahead to make sure that campfires will be permitted where you want to stay.  No matter what you do, do not build a campfire where it is not permitted.  Either forego the campfire or find another park in whcih yuo can build a campfire.  It's important to note that fire rules may change on a daily basis depending on weather conditions, so be attentive to any policy change.

Use Designated Fire Pits
You can rest assured that designated fire pit areas were chosen for a good reason (a good wind break, good brush clearance, etc.). If there is not a formal fire area, make sure that your fire ring is surrounded by a circle of rocks, large enough to keep wood and kindling contained and not blowing or tumbling over the sides.

Clear Area of All Debris
Make sure there are no extraneous twigs, leaves, paper products or other flammables, and overhanging tree branches within several feet of your campfire.

3 Steps of Adding Wood
Never use flammable liquids to start a fire! Instead, first use tinder (small twigs), wood shavings, or dry leaves/ grass that will ignite easily will help get your fire going. Next, add some kindling (small sticks one inch in diameter or less).  Finally, after you let your kindling get burning, add on larger pieces of dry wood that will burn for a while.

Be sure to stack your wood in separate piles a safe distance  from the fire area. Never pull branches off trees or cut living vegetation.

Avoid Over-Building
Campfires can easily get away from you, so keep your campfire well within the borders of the pit, and keep it small to avoid sparking.

Be Ready to Extinguish
Have a bucket of water and a shovel or a fire extinguisher nearby to put out the fire when you're ready to do so.

Supervise
Make sure an adult is present at all times, discourage running or horseplay around the campfire.

3 D's: Douse, Dreg, and Dig
Before leaving camp, make sure that your campfire is completely out.  Douse with water, dreg up the fire to uncover any hot spots, and douse again.  Then turn over the fire debris to make sure everything is cold.  DO NOT put fire ash into trash receptacles.

Getting excited for an upcoming camping trip, especially sitting around the campfire with family and friends?   Here's a list of the best campfire moments as seen in American cinema to fuel the fire (pun fully intended):

Blazing Saddles:   Explosively funny
Easy Rider:   Nicholson + Hopper + thier version of "method acting" + spirited filmmaking in 1969 = unforgettable dialogue
Problem Child:   Payback...