Few things are better then packing up and heading out for a weekend of riding with friends. The trails are adventurous, the food is always good, and a night time telling stories of the day around a campfire cannot be beat. It is important to knowing a few basic tips about having campfires though. Follow these basics to keep your weekend of riding save for the group and the environment.

1. Clear anything flammable away from your fire. Things like dry brush, trash, gas containers, and even small sticks and logs are all easy to burn. Make sure ensure a safe campfire you take the time to clear the area of anything that can burn before you start your campfire.
2. Use proper fire rings. Depending on the time of year, the location you’re at, and the rules of campfire use things may vary on what is allowed. Make sure you know the regulations going in to your trip and follow them to potentially prevent anything going horribly wrong. Fire rings for example and one of them biggest issues. Although you may assume you’re being responsible with the hole that you dug, or the rick ring you created you may actually be going against what’s regulated as a proper fire ring. Those rules exist for good reason, so just take a few moments before you head out to learn the rules and use a proper fire pit for your campfire.
3. Burning local wood. This is probably the most overlooked item on the list. Most would never even give the wood type a second thought. But there is good reason tombs local wood for your campfire. The use of random wood from wherever can spread invasive species. By using burning local wood you contain the pests, bugs, and disease that are in the local wood to it’s native environment. Introducing these things can really hurt the area that you loved so much you chose to camp there, so take the time to be responsible and burn local.
4. Keep water at hand. This one is an easy one. If you are having a fire, keep enough water at hand to extinguish that fire in case of an emergency. Fire jumps around so easily it is easy to loose control fast. Things like dry climate and wind are factors that we cannot always control, but we can be prepared to do our part in case of an emergency.
5. NO unattended campfires. Never leave your campfire alone. The potential danger of breaking this rule is way too big to even take a restroom break while your campfire is left to blaze without anyone watching it.
6. Watch your pets. We all love our pets right? They aren’t just a part of our family, the rely on us to make sure they stay safe. The dangers of a split second accident can lead to the worst case scenario for your dog. Keep an eye on them, and of course do not let them to close to the fire.
7. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR CAMPFIRE IS COMPLETELY OUT BEFORE LEAVING IT. I get it, it’s late, everyone turned in for the night, and the campfire has dwindled down to a few semi warm embers. It is easy to make the mistake and think your campfire is not a threat. As long as the fire has warmth, consider it lit. Embers can reignite, wind can blow those embers across the ground igniting whatever it touches, there can even be something blown into the fire ring that sparks back up. Here is an easy way to ensure your fire is completely out before you leave it. Once the flames are out, ad water to the embers, stir them around a bit and repeat the process until there is no warmth coming from the fire ring.

Campfires are a part of our OHV experience, don’t risk the trip going bad by overlooking some simple campfire basics to ensure the least amount of risk and the most amount of fun.