Build a better campfire this summer
Currently, all open fires are prohibited within the Southeast Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The ban will be in place until the public is otherwise notified. Specifically, this ban prohibits the burning of any waste, slash or other material; burning of stubble or grass as well as the use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description.
The ban does not prohibit campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
Steps to a better fire:
- Check with authorities to find out if there are restrictions on the use of campfires.
- Consider the wind conditions. If the wind is strong enough to carry sparks to combustible material, don’t burn.
- A fire break must surround your fire – create one by scraping down the dirt – one metre around the fire.
- Keep the fire a reasonable distance away from any flammable materials, including all trees, and wooden structures.
- Keep your fire small. The best cooking fire is small and hot.
- Keep a shovel and at least eight litres of water nearby if the fire escapes.
- Never leave fire a campfire unattended.
- Extinguish your fire by stirring water into the ashes until it is cold to the touch — hot coals can reignite the fire.
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