Safety precautions and common sense can prevent wildfires

By Bob Difley

The BLM has issued a warning for Northern Nevada on the lack of moisture and warm day time temperatures and that campers and boondockers must use caution when building fires. The dry state of already dry BLM land in other states calls for the same measures.

Texas, for instance, has had its driest year in decades, and you’ve seen what happened to the state as wildfires ravaged millions of acres. Little rain or snow has fallen in any of the southwestern deserts and wildfire danger is very high. As a result of these conditions and to remind fire builders, the BLM published these guidelines for building a campfire.

• Park vehicles so that the exhaust system does not come in contact with the dry grass, weeds or leaves.
• If off-road vehicle use is allowed, internal combustion equipment requires a spark arrester. Please stay on designated roads and trails.
• When burning debris check local weather conditions, have water nearby and available and know your counties outdoor burning policies.
• Never leave a campfire unattended. Leave campsite as clean and natural as possible. Remember the basic rule of, “Pack In Pack Out”.
• Never use any type of fireworks on public lands.
• Keep stoves, lanterns and heaters away from combustibles and never use inside a tent.

I would add the following:

• Don’t build a fire when the wind is blowing hard.
• Keep a bucket handy to use to throw water on any errant sparks that escapes and to drown your final fire.
• Use a folding shovel to clear debris from around your fire area and to bury coals when finished.
• Feel the ashes after you put out the fire. They must be cold to the touch. A wind could come along and refresh even the smallest hot spot into a new uncontrolled fire.

Check out my website for more RVing tips, RV destinations, and for my ebooks, BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands (click here for Kindle version), Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts (Kindle version), and 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang out of your RV Lifestyle Dollar (Kindle version).