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
63
questions
2
votes
0
answers
112
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 ...
- 1,265
3
votes
3
answers
179
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 ...
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
185
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?
- 213
1
vote
0
answers
158
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?
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
443
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 ...
- 109
0
votes
3
answers
898
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 ...
- 2,837
1
vote
1
answer
434
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 ...
- 2,837
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 ...
- 2,837
5
votes
2
answers
353
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 ...
- 26.1k
7
votes
2
answers
3k
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 ...
- 173
1
vote
2
answers
244
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 265
21
votes
3
answers
11k
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 ...
- 30.3k
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 ...
- 1,003
3
votes
1
answer
499
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 ...
- 27.1k
22
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, ...
- 763
10
votes
1
answer
286
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?
...
user8348
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 ...
- 1,885
4
votes
1
answer
508
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 ...
- 30.3k
6
votes
1
answer
720
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 ...
- 163
7
votes
3
answers
506
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 ...
- 1,793
1
vote
1
answer
750
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 69.2k
7
votes
1
answer
235
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 ...
- 173
5
votes
3
answers
6k
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.
- 9,678
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 ...
- 27.1k
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 27.1k
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 1,172
8
votes
1
answer
553
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 ...
- 23.4k
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 ...
- 30.3k
17
votes
5
answers
5k
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), ...
- 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 ...
- 23.5k
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 ...
- 23.5k
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.
- 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. ...
- 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 ...
- 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, ...
- 23.4k
5
votes
1
answer
452
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.
...
- 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 ...
- 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?
- 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 ...
- 53.5k
4
votes
1
answer
325
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 424
6
votes
1
answer
161
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 ...
- 31.7k
6
votes
5
answers
887
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 ...
- 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, ...
- 271
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. ...
- 899
12
votes
3
answers
320
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 ...
- 709