5,605
Trees Planted To Date
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Fires Versus Stoves
The use of campfires, once a necessity for cooking and warmth, is steeped in Canadian history and tradition. Some people would not think of camping without a campfire. Campfire building is also an important skill for every camper. Yet, the natural appearance of many areas has been degraded by the overuse of fires and an increasing demand for firewood. The development of lightweight efficient camp stoves has encouraged a shift away from the traditional fire for cooking. Stoves have become essential equipment for minimum-impact camping. They are fast, flexible and eliminate firewood availability as a concern in campsite selection. Stoves operate in almost any weather condition, and they have a low impact on the immediate environment.
The most important consideration when deciding to use a fire is the potential damage to the forest and infrastructures.
If you decide to make a fire and you are permitted to gather wood on site, camp in areas where wood is abundant. Choose not to have a fire in areas where there is little wood at higher elevations, in heavily used areas, or in desert settings. A true Leave No Trace fire shows no evidence of having been made. Avoid all risks of spreading fire or starting a forest fire.
The best place to build a fire is within an existing fire ring in a well-placed campsite. Remove all combustibles such as dead wood, tree branches, twigs or dry leaves. Keep the fire small and burning only for the time you are using it. Allow wood to burn completely to ash. Put out fires with water, not dirt, before leaving the site or going to sleep. Dirt may not completely extinguish the fire. Avoid building fires next to rock outcrops where the black scars will remain for many years.
You can build a mound fire with simple tools: a garden trowel, a large stuff sack, a ground cloth, a fire blanket or a plastic garbage bag to prevent the ground and roots from burning.
Collect mineral soil, sand or gravel from an already disturbed source. The root hole of a toppled tree is one such source. Lay a ground cloth, blanket or bag on the fire site and then spread the soil into a circular, flat-topped mound at least 7.5 to 12.5 cm (3 to 5 in) thick. The thickness of the mound is critical to insulate the ground below from the heat of the fire. The fire blanket, ground cloth or garbage bag makes it easier to clean up afterwards. The circumference of the mound should be larger than the size of the fire to allow for the spreading of coals. The advantage of the mound fire is that it can be built on flat exposed rock or on an organic surface such as litter, duff or grass.
Here are some other safe alternatives. In addition to models available in stores, portable and inexpensive firepans and fireboxes can be created using a barbecue, garbage-can cover or basin made from heat-resistant materials. The sides must be at least 8 cm (3 in) high. The pan, box or stove should be placed on rocks or surrounded by gravel or sand so that the heat does not scorch the ground. Since steel is often treated with toxic chemical products to prevent rusting, first burn the cover or basin in a large flame in order to remove this layer.
Over 60% of Canadians have reported increased time spent in parks since pre-pandemic. While this connection is extremely important, the increased visitation has caused additional strain on Canada’s natural areas.
Show that you care for all of Canada’s parks and natural areas.
Take the pledge
With the simple click of a button and adopting the 7 Principles, you can make a difference.
Join Leave No Trace in supporting responsible outdoor recreation.
Trees Planted To Date
Take the pledge to make responsible choices and we will plant a tree in your name.
Provided by Presenting Partner