We all need to do our part to prevent wildfires. In the United States, fire season begins earlier each year, and now we’re even having winter wildfires. It’s likely to get worse. Unfortunately, many wildfires each year are caused by people’s carelessness. It’s usually not intentional, and therefore as a collective, we need to better learn how to prevent wildfires. With people flocking to enjoy the outdoors like never before, it’s up to those of us that live here, recreate here, and know how to responsibly use the outdoors to help educate those that don’t know any better. 

In recent years, much of the United States has been in varying levels of drought. Just check out this article by the New York Times. If this doesn’t illustrate what I’m talking about, I don’t know what does. As someone who works on a wildfire incident management team, our seasons are busy. We can’t prevent wildfires started by nature (lightning), but we can reduce the burden on resources by not creating them ourselves. Additionally, we have to learn how to deal with wildfire smoke to even get outside during the summer in many places.

Here are seven things you can do to avoid starting wildfires when conditions are dire:

1. Fully extinguish your campfire
2. Do not shoot exploding targets
3. Make sure you’re not dragging your trailer chains
4. Avoid using anything that creates sparks
5. Don’t drive in dry or cured grass
6. Don’t set off fireworks irresponsibly
7. Obey burn restrictions

We absolutely must do what we can to prevent wildfires and educate those new to outdoor recreation. 

After all, do you want to be the person making headlines for causing a catastrophic wildfire that burns down houses and potentially kills people? I didn’t think so.

Extinguish Your Campfire

A major cause of wildfires is campfires not properly extinguished. When you’re done with your campfire, whether it’s at the end of the night and ready to go to bed or in the morning before you take off, it’s easy to think it will go out on its own. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you build your fire in an area surrounded by forest duff and understory, it’s easier than you think for it to begin creeping out of your fire pit, especially if you’re not using an established one. Additionally, even a tiny breeze can carry sparks from your campfire into nearby dry grass and brush, and before you know it, you’ve got a fire that’s out of control.

Follow a few simple steps to extinguish your campfire to prevent wildfires:

1. Douse it in water. If you have to haul water from a creek, do it. Plan ahead if you know you’re going to have a campfire to ensure you have a way to put plenty of water on it when it’s time to put it out. 
2. Stir with a stick or other tool. 
3. Pour more water on it and stir some more. Do this until it’s cool to the touch. Dig your hand in to make sure it’s actually cold.

You cannot be too careful. Many rules say not to leave campfires unattended. This also means when you crawl in your tent or RV. If you are not sitting in front of it watching it, consider it unattended. When you drive away, it is DEFINITELY unattended. 

You can be held responsible and convicted for starting a wildfire that costs millions of dollars and potentially lives.

Avoid Exploding Targets

I don’t know a lot about exploding targets, but I do know they start wildfires. A few years ago, someone started a fire where I live by shooting at these targets on a scorching, dry summer day. The result was a wildfire in which over 300 evacuations were ordered. There are also other instances of exploding pyrotechnics, like the infamous gender reveal party in California in 2020.

It’s just common sense. We all know when it is really dry and hot. Or just really dry. Listen to the weather stations and red flag warnings.

Prevent wildfires, don’t start them! 

Don’t Drag Trailer Chains

This is an easy one to do and requires just a little extra thought. If you’re pulling a trailer of any sort, whether it’s a horse trailer, flatbed trailer, RV, or any other type, you’ll likely have trailer chains. Ensure they are far enough off the ground that they don’t drag as you go down the highway. These can quickly create sparks that can end up in a ditch, igniting dry grass faster than you can say 911. 

Avoid Using Anything That Creates Sparks

Spark arrestors are required on all portable, gasoline-powered equipment, including motorcycles, ATVs, chain saws, lawn mowers…you get the picture. Be extra cautious and not use anything that could light tinder-dry grass on fire. If you decide to mow that dry pasture or lot, take some precautions ahead of time. Thoroughly soak the area around where you’ll be cutting and have plenty of water on hand. Make sure you have tools like shovels and rakes available should you accidentally start a fire. And it doesn’t hurt to have extra people to help if you need to have all hands on deck to extinguish a flame quickly.

Practice common sense and if you’re in doubt, don’t. 

Don’t Drive in Dry Grass

Prevent wildfires by staying on designated roads. When the grass starts to cure and turn yellow, it’s best not to drive through it. The underside of your vehicle can get quite hot when driving, and it can quickly start a fire. Depending on where you are in the world, the time of year this occurs will vary, so pay attention to weather reports and make your own observations. If it looks dry, feels dry, seems dry, stay off it! 

Don’t Set Off Fireworks in Dry Conditions

Often if it’s going to be incredibly dry and there is big wildfire concern, local officials will issue fireworks bans. Obey them. But even if there are no bans in place, it pays to be careful. Make sure you have quick access to plenty of water and tools for extinguishing a fire. Don’t set fireworks off near dry grass. If possible, do them in big, open dirt spaces that don’t have any easily ignitable fuel sources nearby. Paved or dirt parking lots, green lawns, or dirt arenas are all reasonable options, as long as you’re not doing it next to a tinder-dry field full of grass or other fuels. 

Obey all fireworks laws on public lands where so many wildfires start and burn quickly due to abundant fuels. If a fireworks ban is in place, follow it. 

Obey Burn Restrictions

Much like fireworks bans, officials will put burn restrictions in place when conditions get too dangerous. Most states have websites that list current prohibitions. There are various levels of restrictions, so make sure you know what is in place where you are. And it can vary within the same state, so don’t just assume it’s the same everywhere.

It is up to you to be educated on the burn restrictions and not burn if it’s not allowed. This includes burning garbage, slash piles, bonfires, or yard waste, as well as campfires. 

Consequences of Large Wildfires

Wildfire has its place on the landscape, and I trust land management agencies to make the best decisions when it comes to this. However, what I am saying is there are plenty of wildfires started through natural causes. As humans we have the ability to prevent wildfires. People need to stop being irresponsible and not knowing or following the rules.

We’re inundated with wildfire smoke across the country, burning our lungs and eyes daily. As a result, we cannot recreate outside like we want, whether it’s access restrictions because of the fires or even just not running in your city park due to the smoke. 

Millions of dollars are spent to protect lives and homes, with many unfortunately lost every year. However, many of these are preventable. 

First responders put their lives on the line every time they go out on these wildfires. Think about them when you’re about to do something that could potentially ignite a wildfire. 

So I ask you, please think twice before doing any of the things mentioned above. If it’s dry, if there are red flag warnings, if it’s just not the appropriate time, then don’t.

Please do it for yourself, your family, friends and neighbors, and all the firefighters and other emergency personnel who put their lives on the line.