Campfires & How to Properly Put Them Out

One of the best things about camping is having a campfire, right? For many, it's the thing to do while camping. Unfortunately, because Arizona has such a dry climate, having a campfire is a luxury and is limited to certain times of the year depending on how much rainfall and snow we get as well as how recent the last rainfall occurred. The Forest Service Department updates fire danger information regularly and enforces strict regulations on the type of fire-causing activities that can be done in our forests. Fire restrictions are released in phases and can increase or even be removed if the season has brought enough rain to have campfires safely. Please familiarize yourself with current fire restrictions and the details of the current phase.

See current fire restrictions in Coconino County »

If campfires are permitted:

Use an existing fire ring, don't create a new one. When not in a designated campground, build your fire within a ring of rocks.
Clear all vegetation away from the fire ring (remove all flammable materials such as needles, leaves, sticks, etc.)
Select an open level spot away from trees, logs, stumps, overhanging branches, dense dry grass, and forest litter.
Keep your campfire small.
Keep plenty of water and a shovel nearby for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.
Never leave a campfire unattended! Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread. Make sure a responsible adult is always in attendance.

When putting out your campfire:

First, drown the campfire with water!
Next, mix the ashes and embers with soil. Scrape all partially-burned sticks and logs to make sure all the hot embers are off them.
Stir the embers after they are covered with water and make sure that everything is wet.
Feel the coals, embers, and any partially-burned wood with your hands. Everything (including the rock fire ring) should be cool to the touch. Feel under the rocks to make sure no embers underneath.
When you think you are done, take an extra minute and add more water.
Finally, check the entire campsite for possible sparks or embers, because it only takes one to start a forest fire.
Remember…if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

Please take the time to completely put out your campfire, it could prevent a wildfire.

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Campfires & How to Properly Put Them Out

If campfires are permitted:

When putting out your campfire:

Please take the time to completely put out your campfire, it could prevent a wildfire.

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