Campfires are one of the really enjoyable parts of the camping experience. The scent of wood smoke, the warm glow, hot dogs or marshmallows roasting over the coals, the trance we all seem to fall into when we watch the fire in the evening. Just a beautifully romantic part of the whole camping experience. Campfires may not always be allowed, so be sure to check with the campground manager or the local forest service about any possible restrictions due to forest fire hazzards. Here are some tips to get the most out of your campfire experience.

• Keep fires small.
• Have water available to extinguish the fire properly.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Maintain a debris-free area around the fire, so sparks can not ignite vegetation and spread the fire.
• Make sure ashes are cold when you leave a fire.
• Build fires only in fire rings, stoves or fireplaces.
• Use only dead wood lying on the ground. Do not cut live trees, or branches from trees near the campsite.
• Collect firewood far away from your site, so the area will not appear bare and unnatural.
• Start the fire by building a small teepee of dry sticks or twigs, and igniting it with a match. As the fire gets going, add larger pieces of wood.
• Extinguish all fires by pouring water on them, stirring the ashes and pouring more water. Ashes should be cool to the touch before you leave the site.
• Pack out any trash that is not completely burned to ash. Leave your fire pit clean for the next campers.
• Bring along a small amount of firewood. The understory might already be picked clean of wood from earlier campers. Be prepared.
• Softwoods, like pine, fir and cedar, are best for starting a fire.
• Dry hardwood, like birch, maple and oak, is best for making a bed of hot coals.