By Heidi Schewel
The active part of fire season on Coronado National Forest is ramping up, and visitors to the forest are encouraged to practice fire safety and focus on “One Less Spark” when venturing out onto their public lands. While the Coronado National Forest is in a “fire year” with human-caused fires burning during every month, the more active part of the season occurs during the hotter, drier summer months. Campfire safety is paramount, as it only takes seconds for an ember to be lifted from a seemingly lifeless fire pit onto a receptive fuel bed such as dry grass, leaves or pine needles. That’s a recipe for wildfire.
When fire restrictions are in effect, they must be strictly adhered to. The first level of restrictions typically limits campfires to the metal grills and fire rings in developed recreation sites. Portable charcoal grills are prohibited. Smoking must be done in an area cleared of all burnable debris for a three-foot diameter. As conditions become more favorable for wildfire, the second level of restrictions generally prohibits all campfires, smoking, and activities producing flames. Should conditions further deteriorate, partial or full forest closures could follow.
When fire restrictions are not in place, it’s important to build, maintain and extinguish campfires safely. The person that builds the campfire must own it, and plan ahead by taking materials needed to build the fire and enough water to completely extinguish it. Safe locations include areas free from wind, with no burnable debris above, below or around where the fire will be built. Wood should be cut to fit within the fire pit, and not extend from it where sparks could drop and ignite a wildfire. When leaving a campfire for any reason, for any period of time, it should be completely extinguished with water brought specifically for that purpose. Drown the fire with water, stir it, test for heat and repeat until it is cold to the touch. The myth that dirt smothers a fire is just that, a myth. Dirt will hold heat in, while water will extinguish the heat. Abandoned campfires are being found across the forest and are an unacceptable and irresponsible use of everyone’s forest.
One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire! Think of activities that could ignite a wildfire – tossing a cigarette from a car window, dragging tow chains on pavement, parking a vehicle over tall dry grass, welding on a windy day. Take extra care not to create that spark that could ignite a wildfire.
As the 4th of July approaches, remember, fireworks are never allowed on national forest lands.
