The weather is getting warmer and people are starting to enjoy more outdoor activities in picturesque Larimer County. While we encourage people to get outdoors and experience all that Colorado has to offer, we also want to issue a stern warning to anyone who is camping to make sure your campfire is OUT before you leave your campsite. The memory of Hewlett Gulch, Fern Lake, High Park and Woodland Heights fires are still fresh in our minds and should not be forgotten. In 2011, there were 10,249 wildfires caused by lightning, but 63,877 wildfires caused by human error (as reported to the National Interagency Fire Center). Extinguishing Your Campfire When youre ready to put out your fire and call it a night, follow these guidelines: 1. Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible 2. Pour lots of water on the fire, drown ALL embers, not just the red ones 3. Pour until hissing sound stops 4. Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel 5. Scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers 6. Stir and make sure everything is wet and they are cold to the touch 7. If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire. REMEMBER: If its too hot to touch, its too hot to leave! For more fire information please visit: smokeybear/put-out-campfire.asp
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 13:39:13 +0000
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