Wildfire Prevention Tips
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There's More To Hunter Safety & Responsibility Than Just Weapons Safety
Information provided by:
Northern Rockies Interagency Fire Prevention Team
August 2000
ATTENTION HUNTERS!!!
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PREVENT WILDLAND FIRES!
Human-caused fires are extremely dangerous. Fires put people's lives and homes at risk. Putting out just one fire could cost you, the taxpayer, millions of dollars.
SITUATIONS:
Warming Fires – It's an early morning hunt, it's chilly and you have built a warming fire. You see your game and take off after it. Rather than putting the fire out, you merely kick some dirt over it. The fuels around your fire are dry. During the day, a small breeze fans your warming fire, sending sparks to the dry fuels and causing a disastrous wildfire.
Abandoned Camp Fires – During your hunt, you have had a classic hunting campfire. Around your fire, you have enjoyed making camp coffee, cooking food, telling stories and talking into the night. You pack up and head home thinking the campfire will go out on its own. It doesn't. The fire spreads and causes a wildfire.
Smoker Related – While smoking in the woods, you choose not to use your ashtray and drop your burning cigarette onto the dry forest floor. The cigarette smolders in the dry fuel causing a fire that spreads rapidly into a devastating wildfire.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT FIRES?
Find out any safety restrictions in the area you plan to visit.
Restrict campfires to designated recreation sites or campgrounds.
No smoking except within enclosed vehicles, buildings, or in a 3-foot-square area cleared to bare dirt.
Limit use of motorized vehicles to established roads or trails.
Do not park vehicles over dry grass or brush - hot exhaust systems can and do start fires.
Keep a bucket, a shovel and a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and at your camp.
Think fire prevention before you act.
BUILD A SAFE CAMPFIRE
Use designated sites or clear an area at least 10 feet across.
Keep fires small and controllable.
Never leave a campfire unattended.
Drown fire with water and stir remains to make sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet and cool to the touch.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Habitat Damage – Careless use of fire can alter wildlife habitat and cause undue stress to the animals, particularly if winter range is burned.
Property Damage – Uncontrolled fires can destroy homes and other personal property. Wildfires often put livestock and even human lives at risk.
Liability – You can be held personally liable for costs incurred in suppressing a fire you started.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Talk to other hunters about fire safety and SPREAD THE WORD.
Ensure all fires are DEAD OUT!
Be responsible and protect your hunting opportunities.
And don't forget......."Help a Kid get hooked on the Great Outdoors"
