Survival - Campfires

A campfire sits up there in the top ten survival essentials: for cooking, heating water, providing light and heat.  Here at Tactical we have added some new lines to our Survival section including Ferro rods and Tinder to include in your EDC when heading to the great outdoors.

With the right kit lighting a fire can be easy, however fires are dangerous and can potentially get out of control and spread quickly.  Consideration should be given to the location of a campfire, ensuring the site is not only safe but it is also legal to light a fire.  Unless you are the landowner or have the landowner’s permission it is illegal to start a campfire in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Safety precautions are essential when planning and lighting your fire and we have listed the main points. This list is not exhaustive, and a good measure of common sense can go a long way towards enjoying a safe campfire.

• Keep fires small, under control and supervised at all times.
• No fires in forests, farmland, peaty ground, very dry conditions, cultural heritage sites, Areas of Special Scientific Interest, plantations, farmland or near buildings / roads.
• Build your fire away from tents or other accommodation, vehicles, overhanging trees, or anything else that could potentially catch fire.
• Never use flammable liquids on a fire, no matter how tempting.
• The ground around your fire should be surrounded by non-flammable material, such as dirt or rocks, so that the fire cannot spread.
• Barbecues and raised fires are a more environmentally friendly than campfires, protecting the ground from their heat. Remember; the laws that govern campfires on the UK also apply to barbeques and raised fires.
• Keep a bucket of water near your fire.
• It is important to make sure your fire is completely extinguished with water before you leave. Embers can stay hot for hours even if they look like they are out and can be easily blown by the wind.
• Keep an eye on children around a campfire. They should stay well clear when playing and should be respectful of the fire when they are close to it.

As long as you are careful, nothing adds a better atmosphere to a camping trip than a good campfire.   Food cooked on a campfire tastes awesome, and with the warmth and light it is a great place to hang out and relax.