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Brad Kildow, the Whiting Forest Ranger of the Department of Natural Resources, would like to remind people they need to be careful with their campfires while engaging in outdoor activities. This is especially important around the upcoming fishing opening weekend because unattended campfires are the number one cause of forest fires during this time.

Brad Kildow, the Whiting Forest Ranger of the Department of Natural Resources, would like to remind people they need to be careful with their campfires while engaging in outdoor activities. This is especially important around the upcoming fishing opening weekend because unattended campfires are the number one cause of forest fires during this time.

Debris fires are the number one cause of forest fires at any other time. If a group lets their campfire escape or grow out of control, they are responsible for all costs for fire suppression and lost homes and property. This can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars of damages.

Forest fires caused by campfires on fishing's opening weekend are much more time consuming to find for the forest firefighters. In other words, the longer it takes the forest firefighters to find the fire, the larger it becomes. This is because the campfires are usually built along stream banks and other out-of-the-way places. Debris fires are easier to find because they are usually started in backyards. The DNR fire towers will most likely be staffed during that time looking for “smokes.” The fishing opener usually occurs at the peak of the Wisconsin forest fire season.

“A person is not required to have a burning permit for a fire used for warming the body or cooking food, by state statutes,” said Kildow.

However, someone needs to be monitoring the fire at all times, generally an adult. Before starting a campfire, it is recommended to circle the fire with rocks to contain it or to build the fire in a shallow, sloped pit. If the pit technique is used, clear the vegetation away from the pit several feet all the way around, which helps prevent the fire from creeping unnoticed through the grass, shrubs or other plants. Retain the material removed for rehabilitating the campfire area later.

Kildow said to have firefighting tools on hand before the fire is lit. Have a bucket for water, with water in it, near the campfire in easy reach. Having water in a bucket before fire escapes is obviously important in preventing fire from spreading. Suggested firefighting tools to have on hand are a shovel, a hoe, garden rake or something similar.

The fire needs to be completely out when not attended. Kildow said the four steps to putting out a campfire are first to drown the fire; secondly to stir it thoroughly; third to drown it again; and fourth to feel the coals to make sure they are cold.

Kildow said most people forget to do the fourth step. The person tending the fire does not have to grab the coals with their hands to see if they are still hot. They can “feel” the coals for heat by bringing their hand close to the drowned coals. It is best to use the back of the hand to feel for heat because it is more sensitive than the palm side of the hand.

Have fun out there fishing, but be campfire safe.