Campfire Tips

This weekend looks gorgeous!  Since we are staying home, you may decide that a campfire is a perfect way to enjoy the evening.

Your friendly County of Brant Firefighters have put together a few tips to keep you safe:

The campfire site:

• Find a spot that is sheltered from the wind.
• Build your fire on a non-combustible surface.  Preferably in a metal ring or surrounded by stones or blocks.
• Build your fire at least 15 metres away from any combustible materials, fences, property lines or buildings.
• Make sure the space above the fire is at least three metres from overhanging branches and vegetation.

Prepare the site:

• Clear a space about two metres wide for the fire.
• Scrape the area right down to the mineral soil.
• Ensure you have a pail of water or garden hose, and a shovel to control the fire.

Build your campfire:

• Keep your fire small to a maximum of one metre high and one metre wide.
• Remember that small fires are safer, easier to control and easier to put out.
• A small fire will also keep cooking tools from blackening and let you get close enough to cook.

Stay nearby:

• Never leave any fire unattended.
• Remember that you are responsible for tending your campfire, ensuring it is kept under control, and for putting it out.

Put the fire out:

• Pour lots of water on the campfire.
• Stir the ashes with a stick.
• Pour more water over top of the campfire.
• Stir the ashes with a stick again.
• Repeat until:

• the ashes are cold to the touch
• the ashes don’t hiss
• the ashes look soaked
• no more smoke comes from the ashes

Safety tips for kids:

• Always ensure children are with an adult when they are around a fire.
• Always make sure small children are at least 1m away from the fire.
• Never allow children to play with matches or fireworks.
• Teach your children to tell an adult immediately if they see a fire burning out of control.

And just in case you need a campfire recipe, this one is a firefighter favorite!

1 sleeve graham crackers, broken into squares

1 (12-oz.) bag marshmallows

1 bar chocolate, cut into squares

In a large cast-iron skillet, layer graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. 

Place skillet over a campfire cooking grate and cook until marshmallows and chocolate are melty.

Also, please be considerate to your neighbours and do not have a campfire if the wind speed exceeds 15 kms/hr. For more information about campfires and the Fire Bylaw, visit www.brant.ca/OpenAirBurning.

Please remember, we all need to do our part to keep the community healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Please do not gather in groups of more than five people. Stay healthy!  Stay safe!  We’ve got this Brant!