Rap 451 - Fire Safety

Rap 451 Fire Safety

PLEASE join our consensus: There are no leaders here. We each are responsible and accountable for creating a culture of fire safety. To protect ourselves and the forest, fire safety is vital.

Community Fires Only! Reduce wildfire risk, reduce smoke and build community. Please, no personal fires.

Be safe! Build fires away from tents, trees, and brush. Remove duff (flammable organic matter on the forest floor), and all debris down to the dirt for at least twenty feet around fires and smoking areas. 

Have shovels and water buckets nearby. Control the size of the fire and sparks. Never throw anything into a fire. Never leave a fire unattended. Extinguish by drown-stir-feel = cold to the touch.

Reduce Impact: Only gather/burn dead, down, and dry fuel. Avoid digging large boogie pits as they scar the earth. Preferably build fireplaces/structures above ground, 200 ft away from bodies of water. If you must dig, line pits with rocks/clay to avoid igniting roots. Warning: rocks from wet areas may explode when heated.   

No Fireworks: They are dangerous and illegal in our National Forests.

Wind Danger: Be aware of wind directions and speed, be cautious of wind spreading sparks which may ignite fires.

Vehicles: Avoid leaving vehicles running in parking areas, as this can ignite fires. Do not drive onto dry grass or brush. Heat under the car, sparks, backfiring, or exhaust, can start fires that you won't see - until it's too late. 

Power Tools: Use extreme caution with chainsaws, generators, propane devices and other power equipment, in accordance with forest regs. 

Smoking Safety: 1. Shade 2. Sit. 3. Smoke. Ensure all embers are fully extinguished, dispose of remnants safely, pocket your filters/crutches. Practice safe smoking!

Cooking Safety: Put out grease fires by covering pot/fire with a lid, a fire blanket or if none of those are available, use dirt, not water nor flour.

Substitute LEDs where possible for lanterns, light dancing or fire poi.

      Please take care of family and the forest by being fire safe!