Irresponsible
Are you like me, and believe that it is irresponsible for anyone to leave a campfire unattended? Would you leave a firepit in your backyard unattended? Do you believe that when you are camping, it is okay to go for a hike, go to bed, or leave the campground for the weekend, with a fire going? Many people do not think it is a big deal. As a campground host, I say that these practices are irresponsible. Between my wife and I, we put out 8 to 10 fires every weekend in our campground. I often tell people that, as a campground host, I should never have to put out any fire but the one in my campsite.
Other Unsafe practices
There are two practices that cause great distress for a camp host or fire official. One is having wood in a firepit that does not fully fit in the fire pit. A campground axe or hatchet does not cost a lot and are easy to learn how to use. All campers need to practice the common sense principle of safety first, when they are having a fire at their site. The second is choosing to have a fire on the ground when a safer firepit is available. The camper needs to know that, if a Forest Ranger catches a camper having a fire on the ground or allowing wood to hang out of a firepit, they will receive a hefty fine.
It only takes a spark
It only takes a spark to get a fire started. When you start a fire using match, it is the creation of a spark that lights the fire. One spark from an unattended fire and a gust of wind blowing that spark into a carpet of pine needles, dry grass, or even a camper’s firewood pile could cause a forest fire. Most forest campgrounds are located off windy mountain roads with only one way in and one way out. You may not be able to out-run a forest fire. Be fire safe. Put out your fire.
What are the consequences?
Most campers do not seem to understand the consequences of a forest fire that they may have caused. If fire officials determine that you were responsible for causing a forest fire, you will have to reimburse the forest department, county, or state, the costs related to putting the fire out. A recent Southern California fire cost $200 million to put out. You should also be aware that, if it is determined that your negligence caused a fatality, you can be charged with involuntary manslaughter and go to prison.
What is the big deal?
All campers should act in a responsible manner when having a fire. Unsafe practices and a spark is all it takes to burn down a forest. Never leave a fire unattended, this includes going to bed for the evening when camping, never go on a hike or worse, leave the campground, with a fire burning. All campers should know that there are consequences in place for those that cause a forest fire, consequences that can change your whole life.
All of the articles on my blog come from being a camper from the time I was eight years old. I bought my first RV when I was 30, a tent trailer. I traded the tent trailer for a 26′ bumper pull trailer, then a 5th wheel, and I now have a 38′ Newmar Mountainare Class A motorhome. Once I retired from the Motion Picture Industry after a 39 year career, my wife and I sold the house, and moved into the motorhome. We have been traveling, managed an RV Park in Washington, worked at a lake in Southern California (I was the Maintenance Manager), and are planning our seventh season as the campground hosts at a campground in the Los Padres National Forest, in Southern California. We love the Full Time RV Lifestyle. See my course on https://howtofulltimerv.com
