Questions tagged [fire]

Questions related to fires. Questions about firewood should use the firewood tag and questions about starting fires should use the fire-starting tag

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
2 votes
0 answers
124 views

Take barbecue ashes with me

I do charcoal barbecuing on crown land. When I'm done with barbecuing, I want to take the coals/ashes with me, rather than dump them at the site. Ashes can be hot and messy to handle, even when doused ...
User1974's user avatar
  • 1,255
3 votes
3 answers
189 views

How do I locate a company that will remove deadfall from my property?

I own about 30 acres of sloping, high desert land at about 8500' near Pine, CO. It is moderately densely forested with 30-60 yr old ponderosa pine, blue spruce, and juniper. When a tree dies and ...
Ken's user avatar
  • 31
0 votes
1 answer
190 views

Are predators attracted by fire?

While I know that bears and wolves can be scared off by, say, a burning stick, wouldn't they also know that a fire indicates there are humans who either have food or might be eaten themselves?
releseabe's user avatar
  • 223
1 vote
0 answers
168 views

Can you use a firepit on Deal beach

My question was more around a specific beach, Deal, Kent to be exact. Can you have and use a fire pit in the evening on the public beach around a few drinks that would be carefully monitored?
Brett Hawke's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
509 views

Zippo lighter barely giving any spark [closed]

So I got a zippo as birthday gift, which I used only for about 6 months or so. Meanwhile I always used ONLY original flints and fuel, never anything else. Last couple of weeks it got harder and harder ...
Jakey's user avatar
  • 109
0 votes
3 answers
987 views

Why would fires be prohibited above a certain elevation?

As an example, in Okanogan-Wenatchee National forest the following rules are in place: Fires are prohibited throughout the vast majority of the Enchantment Permit Area; no fires anywhere above 5,000 ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
  • 2,997
1 vote
1 answer
517 views

Are you allowed to collect dead wood for a campfire?

Yesterday we've camped in a campsite near Lake Wenatchee. We've brought in a lot of wood but I've also seen numerous dead trees lying around in the surrounding forest. Is it okay to take branches from ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
  • 2,997
1 vote
4 answers
3k views

Is it safe to leave a campfire unattended overnight in a campsite?

Yesterday I was staying near Lake Wenatchee in Washington in an official campsite. There was a fire pit on site consisting of circular piece of metal and some rocks. The closest trees/objects were ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
  • 2,997
5 votes
2 answers
390 views

What's the smallest (and simplest) practical DIY wood-burning back-/bike-packing stove?

I currently choose between an alcohol stove and a petrol stove depending on the trip, but I'm wondering about being able to burn wood for longer cooking. This would be to cook in a pan of about 12cm ...
Chris H's user avatar
  • 26.4k
7 votes
2 answers
4k views

Use 15 year old Zippo Lighter Fluid (naphtha)

Found some old Zippo Lighter Fluid at home but I could not find any best before date. I think it is somewhere between 15-20 years old (new box to the right). Safe to use or should I buy new fluid? I ...
Ogglas's user avatar
  • 173
1 vote
2 answers
246 views

Camping site suggestions

My friend and I are planning to go camping for three days next week. Since it's winter here in the US, we're targeting the south east side (FL, SC, etc.) I am looking for suggestions on camping sites ...
Actuary's user avatar
  • 121
11 votes
5 answers
3k views

Yosemite Fire Rings - What to Expect?

I'm planning a Yosemite trip for this summer. In reading up on the rules on fire restrictions, I saw this: When and where fire restrictions are not in effect, wood fires are allowed in existing ...
scohe001's user avatar
  • 265
21 votes
3 answers
12k views

Is burning cow pies (dried cow manure) safe?

Is it safe to cook and or heat using "cow chips"? Cow dung, also known as cow pats, cow pies or cow manure is and has been used to fuel fires where firewood is not available. Ruminant manure ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

How can I safely use a candle lantern inside a tent?

I have a candle lantern housed inside what I think is an aluminum frame. I'm concerned it will get hot enough to melt fabrics. How can I safely use it inside a tent? Should I suspend it from the ...
birch's user avatar
  • 1,013
3 votes
1 answer
502 views

Where can I find the current status regarding fire bans in Norway?

Due to forest fires in Sweden, many Swedish counties have issued a total fire ban, such as Västerbotten and Jämtland. In most cases, this includes camping stoves, and therefore has the potential to ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 27.2k
21 votes
4 answers
6k views

I have a firestarter disk, but it won’t light. How do I use it?

(click to enlarge) I acquired a bunch of camping gear from a friend who moved out of the country. There was one of these hockey puck shaped disks, half grey half black, remaining in the cooking gear, ...
SwimBikeRun's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
302 views

What is the expected flowrate of a bucket brigade?

A naive estimate of one gallon bucket a second is 60 gal/min for a well staffed and equipped line, but is there any data on how much water can be moved by bucket in less than ideal conditions? ...
user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

How are canvas tents made to be fire retardant?

While reading through this question about adding a stove jack to a canvas tent originally lacking one, I wondered about the feasibility of making an existing canvas tent fire retardant. Is it simply a ...
Jonathan E. Landrum's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
528 views

What temperature do different parts of a wood fire produce?

I was reading the answers at Can I place a Dutch oven directly into/next to a camp fire? and recalling a recent TV episode about forging iron (coal fire) where they said the coals were hotter then the ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
762 views

Is there a safer way to use a flare in a wooded area?

This answer on another question says that there is a risk of causing a forest fire when using a flare. Is there a recommended/safer way to use flares that lessens this risk, in the event that someone ...
Shokhet's user avatar
  • 163
7 votes
3 answers
678 views

What are "burnable gasses"?

When wood is heated, the first thing to ignite are the "burnable gasses" released by the heating process (producing flames). Some time later, the combustion of these gasses heat the wood to the point ...
Jeff W's user avatar
  • 1,813
1 vote
1 answer
755 views

Who should I contact if I want to have a campfire? [duplicate]

I want to have a campfire on Southport beach in a few weeks as a small birthday celebration with some friends. I was wondering who I should contact to request permission to do so, as I know it's ...
Vyvernn's user avatar
  • 19
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Do regular lighters not work at high altitude?

Here is what I would consider a regular Bic butane lighter. However I have noticed that you can buy High Altitude lighters such as this one. Is that just marketing or would a regular lighter not work ...
Charlie Brumbaugh's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
251 views

Leather Work Gloves or Aramid Fiber Gloves for Bonfires?

Whenever I make a large bonfire I normally use leather work gloves while I'm tending the fire with my fire rake or if I have to move a partially burning log by hand (within reason of course). I've ...
Rozgonyi's user avatar
  • 173
5 votes
3 answers
7k views

How exactly do you cut down a tree with fire?

If I wanted to use fire to cut down a tree how would I accomplish this safely? Clearly if I build a big bonfire at the base of the tree it will burn down and possibly cause a forest fire.
Erik's user avatar
  • 9,638
5 votes
0 answers
57 views

How to discard of ashes when in a wilderness cabin? [duplicate]

I was staying in the spectacular free and open Ragohytte in magnificent Rago Nasjonalpark, and used some of the provided firewood and coal to heat up the stove in order to dry my gear and enjoy a bit ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 27.2k
12 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why use a Dakota fire pit?

While reading this answer I ended up watching a couple of youtube videos and heard this guy mentioning a "Dakota fire pit". I hadn't heard about it before, but could easily find a few images by ...
Roflo's user avatar
  • 2,456
11 votes
1 answer
2k views

I filled my Primus Powerlighter with the wrong kind of fuel. How to correct?

I accidentally filled my Primus Powerlighter with the liquid lighter fuel rather than gas lighter fuel. (How) can I correct this mistake, or is my lighter now ruined? It was about 30–40% full and I ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 27.2k
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

How to generate white smoke in the wilderness?

Fictional Scenario - Suppose you are out camping and are stuck somewhere. You want to create a signal of white smoke to attract help. So what are the naturally occurring substance which when burnt ...
user96551's user avatar
  • 163
14 votes
2 answers
7k views

What are the best methods to clean out a fire pits and dispose of the ash?

Are there any recommended methods for disposing of ash from fire pits while primitive camping? I have run into several fire pits in National and State forest camping areas where the fire pit or fire ...
Eliot G York's user avatar
  • 1,172
8 votes
1 answer
644 views

How do you build a warming fire in an old barrel?

I learned to ice-skate on a lake in Connecticut. My father built a warming fire in an old barrel (oil barrel?) and a group of us would skate, warm up, skate, warm up and repeat, for hours. How does ...
ab2's user avatar
  • 23.9k
11 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can you boil water on top of Everest?

We recently had the question Can you get burned by boiling water on everest? and not to long ago the question Why aren't there any electric stoves that can be used for cooking where you can't ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
17 votes
5 answers
6k views

What coat should I wear when camping that won't be damaged through melting by embers from a fire?

I've gone sub-freezing camping a few times and each time I've had an ember (without noticing) melt/burn through an outer layer. The first time was through a synthetic down type jacket (fairly thin), ...
tertius's user avatar
  • 414
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Heal burn wounds in the wild

When out in the wild and a companion falls into the fire and gets injured very badly. How can I aid his wounds? Would be great to hear from some possible herbs (natural materials in general) but ...
OddDeer's user avatar
  • 23.4k
11 votes
2 answers
5k views

Any dangerous animals attracted to fire?

While we are out in the wild it's good practice to keep a fire up to hold back several kinds of dangerous animals, isn't it? I wonder if there are any (for humans dangerous) creatures out there which ...
OddDeer's user avatar
  • 23.4k
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Rocks to line a fire pit [duplicate]

Can anyone recommend what type of rock would work to line a fire pit? I am looking for a type that is unlikely to explode when heated.
David's user avatar
  • 41
7 votes
1 answer
17k views

Leaving a fire unattended for a few hours, then returning

What is the best way to leave a fire unattended for a short time and then to return to use it again? Here is my imagined scenario: arrive at a camp site and start a fire in a pre-made iron fire pit. ...
anon's user avatar
  • 181
17 votes
1 answer
1k views

How to deal with unethical campers?

Earlier last month I witnessed someone fell a tree in the Eagles Nest Wilderness while I was on a backpack trip. Its quite obvious that you're not supposed to cut down trees in a national forest, in ...
tsturzl's user avatar
  • 513
13 votes
2 answers
2k views

When is it unethical to dismantle a fire-ring?

I've dismantled several fire-rings in an area that has many fire-rings strung out between a major trail and a river. (Colorado, 8,500 feet). These are not official camp sites. Over the years, ...
ab2's user avatar
  • 23.9k
5 votes
1 answer
462 views

What is the most efficient way to position a reflector?

I was reading this question about heating a shelter and it occurred to me: I've always been told to use a reflector and how it benefited me, but never told how to position it to maximize efficiency. ...
Zach L's user avatar
  • 1,201
14 votes
4 answers
7k views

Is it safe to wear a down jacket while building a fire?

The outside of a down jacket is usually made of nylon or polyester, which is inflammable. While trying to build a fire, is it safe to wear this jacket? Or will the flying embers be enough to set the ...
Kaushik's user avatar
  • 1,157
2 votes
0 answers
103 views

How do you build a campfire that leaves no trace? [duplicate]

Say you're camping in the backcountry where there aren't any developed campsites or fire rings. What methods are there for building a camp fire that will leave absolutely no trace afterwards?
ShemSeger's user avatar
  • 53.5k
13 votes
6 answers
2k views

Leave no Trace: Are campfires unethical?

According to the Centre for Outdoor Ethics: "The use of campfires, once a necessity for cooking and warmth, is steeped in history and tradition [...] the natural appearance of many areas has been ...
ShemSeger's user avatar
  • 53.5k
4 votes
1 answer
330 views

Is there a safe way to light and tend a small fire on earthy/peaty ground?

When on slightly peaty ground, (i.e loamy forest rather than very peaty heath) is there any possible safe way to light and tend a small fire? I'd envisaged scraping away the top soil, dousing below ...
tomandco's user avatar
  • 133
18 votes
3 answers
6k views

Is it a bad idea to dry clothes by the fire?

Is there too great a chance of accidentally setting your only pair of undies on fire? What about putting the undies on a hot rock? Or would the rock explode ...
Jason's user avatar
  • 424
6 votes
1 answer
163 views

Rules for Carrying flammable subtances in UK

I am planning for a trek in Northern and Eastern parts of England. I am planning to cover the Hull to Liverpool section of the Trans Pennine Trail, which is roughly 290 km or 180 miles. I have ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
  • 31.7k
6 votes
5 answers
899 views

What's a good back-up wood and alcohol stove?

I am looking for a back-up stove capable of burning wood and alcohol. Can you suggest one? I would like it to burn alcohol and wood (most important) be cheap be small be robust be light (least ...
Paul Paulsen's user avatar
  • 4,329
16 votes
5 answers
19k views

How to make a fire without burning the ground

I was wondering if there was a way to make a fire pit and start a fire in it, and have a way to protect the ground beneith it as much as possible. I don't really know how I could manage to do that, ...
Romain Braun's user avatar
16 votes
2 answers
2k views

How to prepare for and survive wildfire?

In some areas, such as the western US, wildfires are common during the summer dry season. "Fire safety" advice usually centers on not starting a wildfire, e.g. extinguishing or avoiding campfires. ...
Nate Eldredge's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
322 views

What kinds of things are the "defensive driving" equivalent to handling campfires?

In What do you do if the fire does get "out of control"?, someone asked a legitimate question, and @berry120 wrote detailed response, and ended with a "tl;dr" saying, " but if the proper ...
Christos Hayward's user avatar