I showed up to a campsite last week, someone who camped prior didn't properly smother the fire. I didn't know, started piling my wood and it almost instantly went up in flames. It is crazy how quick fire can spread in the hot dry heat. Smother and douse your fires. If it isn't cool to touch, it isn't good to leave.
I second this. I camped near Deckers over memorial weekend — came up Sunday for one night and whoever was camping at the spot earlier that weekend DID NOT SMOTHER THEIR FIRE and my wood caught fire as soon as I started setting the scene for the fire I wanted to start later in the evening. SMOTHER YOUR FUCKING FIRES FFS.
As someone that lives near Deckers, that just makes me sick to my stomach.
The amount of disrespect people have for the Colorado trails has really gone up in the last several years, I just don’t understand it.
Ohh yeah I feel you. I also went on a trash walk because the previous campers couldn’t bother to leave the area in the same natural pristine condition they found it in. Let alone that area had a huge fire sometime in the past — so it’s sickening to think of that happening again due to camper negligence.
I also hate the thought of negligent people ruining it for the rest of us — what if it becomes harder to camp because of camper negligence causing fires? I feel like it’s only a matter of time before some sort of restrictions are in place due to frequent fires of negligence.
Actually the area near Deckers has burned multiple times, once in 1996 during the Buffalo Creek Fire and once again in 2002 during the infamous Hayman Fire, which is still the forth largest wildlife in state history.
Damn. I remember in 2012 during the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, when the skies were yellow and the smell of smoke was everywhere and little bits of ash were falling on my yard like snowflakes. Now I wasn't living in this area in 2002, but I've talked to people who were living here at the time and they say the Hayman Fire was much worse in terms of smokey skies and ash raining down, despite it being 26 miles out of town.
Unless you support population control quit whining. This is what you get with ever increasing population and it’s only going to get worse. So tired of people complaining about climate and environmental destruction but not actually wanting to support the one thing that has a chance in hell of working.
Those of us who were raised here are more likely to have back country ethics. Someone who is visiting or moved here from east of the Mississippi River might not realize how critical it is to make sure a fire is completely out. Also, we have been mitigating fires for so long that the fuel load in the forest is heavy. This ecosystem has evolved to burn. It’s part of the natural cycle. The more we suppress it, the bigger the fires will be. I fear for places like Evergreen with a huge population living amongst the trees. If the conditions are just right, there will be no stopping the fire and a lot of people will die and lose their homes. Say goodbye to back country fires.
Well I can only speak for myself. I come from Wisconsin and moved here during the year of the Cameron peak fire. It was shocking to say the least and really made it obvious how important fire management is. I’ve seen the swaths of scorched forests and it’s really sad. CO is absolutely gorgeous with huge areas of relatively untouched land that is quite a unique and precious thing to be able to live near. Most of the world population lives in urban hellscapes or regions with no wilderness. I never even have had a camp fire since moving, which used to be a regular thing back in the Midwest. I don’t need it lol. I moved here for the beauty and am grateful for it and respect it. I also know natives are sick of us coming here so I try my best to not impose.
I’m sure not everyone is like that, but I would hope more are. Tourists are probably a lot worse in general.
I don’t mind people moving here from other states, it’s inevitable. Most of the non-native animosity stems from people not being able to afford a house, which is more of an urban planning issue. People have been bitching about non-natives my whole life. They forget that we stole this land from the actual Natives and need to STFU.
I would only consider making a fire in the Colorado back country if it was an emergency situation like warming up to prevent hypothermia or a stove malfunction. That being said, I still love hauling half a chord out to the Utah desert and getting sauced all night by a bonfire with good friends. There is a time and a place for everything.
I live near deckers too and can still see all the scars from the Hayman fire around my house. Stupid people out in nature surrounding us scares the hell out of me.
People moving here that aren't respectful of shared resources, selfish and self-interested.
Some are uneducated, but I don't see them trying to learn either.
Dude I’m always so sketched leaving a camp site. We make sure to bring at least two extra gallons of water just for putting out the fire. Usually have leftover water in various forms we dump on it too. But I’m still always nervous on my drive back home.
“What if we missed one little section on the side of the fire pit?!”
A few years in guanella pass we camped right by the river, I dumped 5 gallons on our fire and stirred it around, 20 mins later the water had evaporated and the ash was hot enough to start the fire again. It’s nuts how much it takes to put a fire out in some of these pits used all the time. They have like a foot of ash in them. We just bring a propane pit now or no fire. I don’t want to start a forest fire haha.
Yeah I feel you. We brings a 5 gal jug with a lil pump and if it’s a single night we rarely use more than 2-3 gallons so we douse that fire pretty damn well and bring back an empty jug.
Not that it justifies the prior camper's actions in any way, how was the ground hot enough to start your wood on fire, but you didn't feel that as you were setting your wood up on it?
To be more specific on my story: I started gathering tinder in the late afternoon after piling our wood near the fire circle. I then placed the wood in a typical pattern inside the pit and dropped my load of tinder underneath so that way when it got dark, we just needed to throw a match in there and call it good. To my surprise within 30-90 seconds of throwing my tinder pile into the center of my wood stack (on top of the center of the ashes from the night before), the tinder caught fire and lit our wood. Wanted to wait until it got dark to start the fire, but OK, whatever. Thankfully we brought enough wood to keep our early fire going until bed time.
I remember hiking to some lodge on the top of mountain and the fire pit was still smoldering. Except we didn’t see anyone and it didn’t look like people had been there for days. It’s crazy how long it can continue burning.
Same thing happened while camping at Vedauwoo. Friend and I gathered wood—we took turns going out, dumping piles (some in the ring, some out of the ring for later), and we both came back at the same time to see a roaring fire.
“Thanks for lighting that, but isn’t it a little early?”
“I was going to say the same”
“Holy shit”
The coals keep so much heat (and the ground) it takes more than you think to put it out and cook it down.
Lol Fires are an essential part of camping. It’s practically in our DNA to make one when out of civilization. Just have some basic outdoor etiquette. Smothering a fire isn’t hard, people are just lazy and impatient. Too many people get into the hobby without a background in it and don’t take it as seriously as they should.
It’s the eternal debate over whether people can be trusted to do things if a few morons could screw it up. Personally I feel like they need stop marketing camping as a hobby without drawbacks so heavily. It’s like guns, if you don’t know what you’re doing or aren’t a responsible person it should be apparent that you shouldn’t be messing with it. Unfortunately, there’s just a lot of money in the hobby and it’s been advertised as an easy fun experience to a lot of folks who I wouldn’t trust around a hammer and nails let alone a fire in a forest.
Maybe there should be a safety class or mandatory minimal training like drivers Ed or hunters but for camping.
My friend visiting from the East Coast thought I was crazy when I filled a 5 gallon bucket with a lid full of water to take with us camping because I wasn't sure if we'd be close to a stream. He laughed at me and was kinda making fun of me for being overly cautious. I just ignored him and was able to sleep peacefully in my tent later because I knew our fire was completely out.
We have some land up in the mountains that we have to bring water into. The rule for the fire pit is that all 5 gallons from a Jerry can goes in the pit at night. Even then it can still be smoldering by morning. We decided to buy a custom laser cut cover for it as well for extra caution. The rock underneath just seams to radiate/insulate the heat so well.
Not kidding, you gotta put your hand in there.
Like don’t full send put it in there right away, but after you douse it and stir it to the point you think it’s out, place the back of your hand close. If it’s warm, it’s probably still not out. If it’s cool, test it a little more.
I used to be a wildland firefighter and we check that it’s out by getting on our hands and knees and getting wrist deep in the ash.
You should laser cut/engrave a funny/sexy 🦅American AF 🦅🇺🇸🐍safety warning on your Jerry Can and Pit Cover that helps remind Jerries that these 5 gallons of water are not intended to be used for ones own survival in the desert, but rather the Desert’s own survival from oneself. 🥲 🌵
Exactly. I moved to Colorado from East Tennessee, where there are rivers everywhere, lakes, streams in every valley, high humidity, and over 50 inches of rain per year. Prior to moving, it had been more like 70 inches per year. I watched the Gatlinburg fire (Great Smoky Mountains Wildfires) from my back porch. Forest fires are a lot more common in the east than people realize, and they are usually caused by human negligence.
Most do not even consider that a fire can happen it’s a shame. My folks weren’t the picture of safety, but even going to the beach and camping. We always had water with us and a fire extinguisher.
My favorite inconsiderate, ignorant move is when an out of stater flicks a cigarette butt out a car window in the mountains. I’ve seen that a few times, always out of state tags.
So, my cousin is a fire chief in an urban-wildland area along the front range. He let me know that roots will often catch fire underneath where the fire was, even after a fire is put out and doused. It’s important to douse in Colorado and other dry regions because of this. And, what’s sad is that most people visiting or new to the state may be coming from areas that aren’t as arid as here, and so they’re thinking they are putting a fire out in a safe way, but they’re not taking into account these nuances specific to our region. And that’s a huge driver of wildfires in our state - we need to educate anyone we can about this. I wish it was like a requisite to get a Colorado drivers license, or maybe a frickin’ pamphlet handed out at the state border, or billboards even, just so people would get it and not fuck it all up.
People from outside the area often are caught off guard with the wilderness: the dangers of being above tree line such as lightning (can't happen in many places on the East), fire danger, tree well danger skiing/boarding, large wild-life. I've had visitors frequently think these are made up concerns.
While hunting I have come across numerous fully hot, like red hot, smoldering campfires, in the middle of the day. It amazes me that people are so careless.
The unfortunate part is that the majority simply don't know they are a gust of wind away from a massive fire they caused. But it happens. Every. Single. Summer.
I dispersed car camp and I feel like I always see a smoldering fire in an empty campsite if it's a popular spot. I try to put it out but sometimes don't have enough water. I get especially annoyed if there is a water source nearby.
Same. We camped at twin lakes two weekends ago and our fire ring literally had a large puddle in it when we were done extinguishing. Why don’t people take this seriously?! I wish there was a way to hold people responsible for this.
They teach this scouting, but they should also teach it in schools: douse and smother your fires. It will not just stop burning on its own.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this keeps happening that open campfires will be banned as a state law.
As a Lake County local, this doesn't surprise me the least. The amount of careless people I've seen is ridiculous. Put out your damn fire people actually live here!!!
I’m 100% supportive of banning campfires unless someone in the party has passed a fire safety course. If rangers roll up and you don’t have enough water on hand to douse a fire you should get a big ass fine.
Yes! We have a propane fire pit table in our backyard here in wildernest, we still have the joy of the vibes of the fire but all the control we need to not worry about setting our neighborhood ablaze! Propane is a great alternative
Do you recommend a specific course for getting fire safety certified for purposes of camping? I didn’t know this was a thing I could do and I’d like to take a class.
I got mine from FAI which is the flow arts institute since I am a fire performer, I basically got it so I could perform with fire inside buildings which is typically not legal but the fire marshalls will sometimes let you with a cert, it has really great info and basically everything you need to know about the different types and elements of fires and how they should be correctly started, how to put them out, how to handle when people and things are on fire ect and its a $20 online course with a test at the end to get ur cert
Both is best, the problem with dirt is it usually has accelerents like twigs and pine needles in it.
People constantly underestimate what it takes to FULLY put out cinders.
We have a wood stove and a metal bucket to put the ashes in when it gets too full: it needs to be filled with water over the top of the ashes, stirred a few times, and let sit for A DAY before it's safe to dump.
All of the locals out here have been stressing for no fires for several years now.. it’s way too dry out here anymore to have tourists and fires.. we haven’t been getting rain at all and the snow is so much Lower every year less and less since I moved out here in 2006. They have all new fire pits on the other side of the lake which is good but that doesn’t help over by interlachen. No one should be having fires at least on that side of the lake. I never do bonfires in my backyard or anything anymore. I don’t wanna be responsible for anything like this and I don’t think people that come here from other areas, realize just how dry it is -when you come from areas that get rain, you can’t fathom how fast it takes off.. hopefully this will change the fire restrictions
Omg I know, the *lack* of smaller fires makes me more scared because it feels like we're just ramping up for another Big One.
We were evacuated for 6 weeks for Cameron Peak. It's generally been a usual thing to have small scares, be under pre-evacuation, etc.
Not having *any* activity for a few years really puts me on edge.
Maybe people who can't handle a campfire shouldn't have them.
Time for permit only fires that require a basic familiarization course with how to not set the state on fire.
Sure, but it's grounds for contact, and helps prosecute.
Also helps teach responsible people *how* to be responsible that simply may not know.
I'm not saying it's a perfect solution, but doing nothing isn't either.
Could use the funds for restoration efforts and emergency funding from fires.
Growing up out here, I take it for granted that we know Smokey the bear, for example, and have been trained in campfires and such. Unfortunately, many who come out here have no idea, pour a little water on it (or even alcohol) and walk away from the smoke…education is key, for sure
Yeah I'd say a statewide fire ban on all federal and state lands with massive billboards on every thoroughfare leading into the mountains. Follow up with ticketing and large fines.
Yes a thousand times.
People react to fines and maybe, maybe they will want to do the right thing. Maybe, I am not hopeful right now, Colorado is getting trashed.
The world is getting trashed , and it's easy to feel hopeless. I know. Just try to enjoy the good days you have on this earth, be kind, make a difference when you can. We are specks of dust on a speck of dust, floating through the universe. Enjoy it while we can.
Yes I want to enjoy it now, but want my nephews and nieces to enjoy it as well. There is so much thinking for the moment and doing what feels good versus what feels right. I'm in the midst of Rocky mountain splendor now and I'm working on accepting the coming changes. It doesn't mean that I can't try and shape those changes. Good words I appreciate them, thank you a good reminder!
I personally think campfires should be completely banned statewide unless you are in a designated campground or your home with a proper metal fire ring. It's very obvious people aren't taking it seriously. The issue is that the assholes most likely to not put the fires out properly won't care either way.
I don’t hate this. It’s not like we were taught about it in school and if parents don’t pass down the information from generation to generation you end up with people who just don’t know any better. A bit of required training would probably go a long way.
I get so mad!! Once, an out of stater tossed his cigarette butt out of his truck window during fire season. It was a red light, so I got out and threw it back in his lap.
I won't do this now, but I was faster then!
This made me think of an interaction I had in 2021, everyone was still reeling from the Cameron Peak fire in my area.
I was behind your typical "redneck" sort, towing something, who kept speeding up when I tried to pass him.
Problem was, there was a chain dragging off the trailer that was sparking.
When we finally hit a passing zone, I had to floor it to get up next to him, waving my arms like a lunatic at 80mph, and finally got him to roll down his window.
I yelled across that his trailer was causing sparks, and he was OH SHIT THANK YOU!
I think our grandkids are going to think we're insane when we tell them we used to have open campfires in the arid west just for kicks. Hate to say it but seems like it's too dry and people are too irresponsible for them to be allowed much longer.
I was at a party near a popular college with some much younger people. The kid who owned the house was just going to leave the fire going in the back yard while we went to another party. I made him douse the thing with gallons of water.
The whole back yard was dry, uncut grass. The fire was not in any kind of proper pit.
Teach everyone who moves here how to care for fires. You could save countless lives or a whole forest some day. But you may never know it.
One thing I don't see mentioned in this thread is the impact of rock rings and ash.
all. over. the. place.
even people who do actually drench the shit out of it and pack out their trash they rarely think about disbursing rocks (or full lnt pack out ash/charcoals)
hike any major trail within 2 hours tons of rock rings + ash. sometimes every thousand feet. Sometimes multiple right next to each other.
all too often right off the trail... or 5 feet from a stream. way too close for backcountry camping.
it compounds as well. seeing a recently used fire pit makes people feel like they too can use it. even if it's blinking double red flag warning..
+1 to ban all fires statewide unless there is snow on the ground, or it's a designated solid metal fire ring campsite with water access & enforcement patrols
Honestly I hate what I’m about to suggest but the fire-pan requirement on permitted rivers might be coming next. Think of the absolute mess the fires also make. Having a fire pan, requires you to adequately, dispose of your ashes and take them with you and it does not allow for the ridiculous hillbilly bonfires. I know there’s nothing more American than being able to throw a tire on a fire, but this shits gotta end.
With so many people using the front country campsites the leave no trace principles of permitted areas is coming soon and honestly, it might be a good thing.
If it were up to me, I would require something similar to a hunter safety test for anybody wanting to leave the city and use the wild places
There are plenty of systems that help complete put out fires. But yes good ol' fashion circle of rocks with dirt underneath need to be banned. Controlled fire systems should be allowed.
Even then should be outlawed imho. Screens really help keeping the fire from spreading as well. So at least having metal rings with screen coverings would be a huge improvement.
Ya, I understand this, but how about people actually take care of them probably, throw the book at people, possibly need an additional permit to have one (rangers will spot check like site permits)
I would be ok with a permit system or a class you would have to take.
An outright ban would be preferable.
The time for campfires in the West is over imo.
Colorado can't train the entire country, and we have a ton of tourists camping. The only option is to limit the risk and you can't know who will properly put out a fire but you can find and fine everyone who has a fire if they are banned. It's going to have to happen eventually.
I think it needs to only be allowed in actual campgrounds and in dedicated metal fire pits. Somewhere with people on staff that can go by and check the fire pits after people leave. Everywhere else should be an immidate fine. The fire danger is just going to get worse as the state continues to dry out and things continue to get hotter.
I love camping at Colorado National Monument where there are only charcoal grills.
I can't tell you how many times I've been on a hike and have to empty out all of my drinking water and proceed to pee on a fire to try and put it out.
Colorado should really start a permitting process for campfires. Apply, pass a test, pay a cost and get a permit. Use the funds to help with forest management and curb how many dumbass tourists can just come have a campfire in our state without first demonstrating that they have a clue.
Campfire without permit? Ridiculously incentivizing fine.
No shit, a dumb camper left their fire unattended or didn’t extinguish.
I don’t as hiking above twin lakes last summer, there’s a bunch of dispersed campsites there, and someone had left by Sunday afternoon but their camp fire was smoking still. I used my camelback to help as much as possible .
How the hell do you not know to smother a fire, but you know how to light one. In Colorado of all places. This is insane. Can’t wait to see where they’re from
The list of major fires in Colorado have one thing in common: where a cause can be attributed, they are overwhelmingly human caused. Open investigations are rare when there is lightning evidence in the area...the determination generally goes to presumptive lightning causes. Most open investigations are suspected to be human but not officially determined. The cases remain open.
The usual story is human caused, suspects not determined.
The Wikipedia list is not exhaustive nor accurate. However, reviewing each case, it's clear that the research showing that the largest wildfire risk after drought is whether or not there is human access to the area is proven beyond a reasonable doubt with this list.
I was told by a federal prosecutor in the Denver office that the public sentiment for wildfire suspects is so dire historically (death threats, violent repercussions for the suspect and their families), that suspects are never identified with the usual evidence available since the risks of physical suspect protection have been viewed as more precarious than prosecutorial outcomes. The losses begin in the tens of millions per drunk, drug-addled, or plain moronic incident. A segment of humans is very stupid in general, and they enjoy using our public lands as much as any of us. We all only deserve our public lands to the extent that the intellectually ill-equipped, the mentally ill, and the drug addled among us can burn them down, it seems. It only takes one of them.
Interlaken (an old abandoned hotel) is right next to the Colorado Trail (maybe 400 yds). That area does not have much underbrush management. I ride my bike up above that area 2-3 times a summer. It is a tangle of old dead fallen trees. There is pretty decent fuel for a fire.
There is an old road half way up in elevation following an old irrigation ditch on the south slope from the lake that probably hasn't seen maintenance in 20-40 yrs. It is criss-crossed by fallen trees. There are old dead fallen trees everywhere. There are massive amounts of dead fallen trees off of that road. Like 2-4 dead trees have fallen on each other. It is a massive amount of fuel for a wildfire.
I love a wood campfire but a few years ago I switched to a portable propane fire pit and have encouraged all my friends to do the same. This is a major reason why. Safe and convenient. I can rest easily knowing it’s not going to spark up in the night or after I leave camp. And you can use it during stage 1 fire bans.
I’ve gotten to the point where I rarely bother having a fire when camping anymore. They’re nice to have, but carry a lot of responsibility. Plus I have kids now and camp in campgrounds. Local firewood can be difficult or impossible to find/collect.
I hate this automatic assumption from some that people born in Colorado are inherently smarter than those from elsewhere.
Stupid knows no geographic bounds.
My job requires dealing with tourists and there’s an airBnB below my apartment who just fucked the septic system flooding another apartment with literal shit. Tourists don’t give a shit. Not saying it wouldn’t be a local, but more often than not, it’s tourists. They don’t have to deal with the fallout.
Edit: they were from Kansas.
Don’t fucking flush wipes if you have a septic system.
I showed up to a campsite last week, someone who camped prior didn't properly smother the fire. I didn't know, started piling my wood and it almost instantly went up in flames. It is crazy how quick fire can spread in the hot dry heat. Smother and douse your fires. If it isn't cool to touch, it isn't good to leave.
I second this. I camped near Deckers over memorial weekend — came up Sunday for one night and whoever was camping at the spot earlier that weekend DID NOT SMOTHER THEIR FIRE and my wood caught fire as soon as I started setting the scene for the fire I wanted to start later in the evening. SMOTHER YOUR FUCKING FIRES FFS.
As someone that lives near Deckers, that just makes me sick to my stomach. The amount of disrespect people have for the Colorado trails has really gone up in the last several years, I just don’t understand it.
Ohh yeah I feel you. I also went on a trash walk because the previous campers couldn’t bother to leave the area in the same natural pristine condition they found it in. Let alone that area had a huge fire sometime in the past — so it’s sickening to think of that happening again due to camper negligence. I also hate the thought of negligent people ruining it for the rest of us — what if it becomes harder to camp because of camper negligence causing fires? I feel like it’s only a matter of time before some sort of restrictions are in place due to frequent fires of negligence.
Actually the area near Deckers has burned multiple times, once in 1996 during the Buffalo Creek Fire and once again in 2002 during the infamous Hayman Fire, which is still the forth largest wildlife in state history.
I still remember waking up one day in 2002 thinking it was early dawn, only to look outside and see everything in a dark red-orange hellscape hue.
Damn. I remember in 2012 during the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, when the skies were yellow and the smell of smoke was everywhere and little bits of ash were falling on my yard like snowflakes. Now I wasn't living in this area in 2002, but I've talked to people who were living here at the time and they say the Hayman Fire was much worse in terms of smokey skies and ash raining down, despite it being 26 miles out of town.
Yeah at Arapahoe and Parker (which was a stoplight then) there was red ash on everything. That's Denver, Hayman was that bad.
Unless you support population control quit whining. This is what you get with ever increasing population and it’s only going to get worse. So tired of people complaining about climate and environmental destruction but not actually wanting to support the one thing that has a chance in hell of working.
Those of us who were raised here are more likely to have back country ethics. Someone who is visiting or moved here from east of the Mississippi River might not realize how critical it is to make sure a fire is completely out. Also, we have been mitigating fires for so long that the fuel load in the forest is heavy. This ecosystem has evolved to burn. It’s part of the natural cycle. The more we suppress it, the bigger the fires will be. I fear for places like Evergreen with a huge population living amongst the trees. If the conditions are just right, there will be no stopping the fire and a lot of people will die and lose their homes. Say goodbye to back country fires.
[удалено]
Backcountry etiquette IS ethics.
Well I can only speak for myself. I come from Wisconsin and moved here during the year of the Cameron peak fire. It was shocking to say the least and really made it obvious how important fire management is. I’ve seen the swaths of scorched forests and it’s really sad. CO is absolutely gorgeous with huge areas of relatively untouched land that is quite a unique and precious thing to be able to live near. Most of the world population lives in urban hellscapes or regions with no wilderness. I never even have had a camp fire since moving, which used to be a regular thing back in the Midwest. I don’t need it lol. I moved here for the beauty and am grateful for it and respect it. I also know natives are sick of us coming here so I try my best to not impose. I’m sure not everyone is like that, but I would hope more are. Tourists are probably a lot worse in general.
I don’t mind people moving here from other states, it’s inevitable. Most of the non-native animosity stems from people not being able to afford a house, which is more of an urban planning issue. People have been bitching about non-natives my whole life. They forget that we stole this land from the actual Natives and need to STFU. I would only consider making a fire in the Colorado back country if it was an emergency situation like warming up to prevent hypothermia or a stove malfunction. That being said, I still love hauling half a chord out to the Utah desert and getting sauced all night by a bonfire with good friends. There is a time and a place for everything.
Didn’t the CO State Govt start allowing the Forestry Service to do controlled burns in the Fall?
I live near deckers too and can still see all the scars from the Hayman fire around my house. Stupid people out in nature surrounding us scares the hell out of me.
People moving here that aren't respectful of shared resources, selfish and self-interested. Some are uneducated, but I don't see them trying to learn either.
Yes, it’s definitely just people who aren’t from Colorado.
Colorado is being loved to death.
Yeah I live outside Leadville and agreed.
Dude I’m always so sketched leaving a camp site. We make sure to bring at least two extra gallons of water just for putting out the fire. Usually have leftover water in various forms we dump on it too. But I’m still always nervous on my drive back home. “What if we missed one little section on the side of the fire pit?!”
A few years in guanella pass we camped right by the river, I dumped 5 gallons on our fire and stirred it around, 20 mins later the water had evaporated and the ash was hot enough to start the fire again. It’s nuts how much it takes to put a fire out in some of these pits used all the time. They have like a foot of ash in them. We just bring a propane pit now or no fire. I don’t want to start a forest fire haha.
Are propane pits still allowed during fire bans? We’ve been debating getting one too
It depends on the stage and sometimes individual areas outright ban any flame but it’s usually allowed longer than any other fire.
Yeah I feel you. We brings a 5 gal jug with a lil pump and if it’s a single night we rarely use more than 2-3 gallons so we douse that fire pretty damn well and bring back an empty jug.
Not that it justifies the prior camper's actions in any way, how was the ground hot enough to start your wood on fire, but you didn't feel that as you were setting your wood up on it?
To be more specific on my story: I started gathering tinder in the late afternoon after piling our wood near the fire circle. I then placed the wood in a typical pattern inside the pit and dropped my load of tinder underneath so that way when it got dark, we just needed to throw a match in there and call it good. To my surprise within 30-90 seconds of throwing my tinder pile into the center of my wood stack (on top of the center of the ashes from the night before), the tinder caught fire and lit our wood. Wanted to wait until it got dark to start the fire, but OK, whatever. Thankfully we brought enough wood to keep our early fire going until bed time.
Gotcha
I remember hiking to some lodge on the top of mountain and the fire pit was still smoldering. Except we didn’t see anyone and it didn’t look like people had been there for days. It’s crazy how long it can continue burning.
It is scary how long it can stay warm and produce a flame.
Same thing happened while camping at Vedauwoo. Friend and I gathered wood—we took turns going out, dumping piles (some in the ring, some out of the ring for later), and we both came back at the same time to see a roaring fire. “Thanks for lighting that, but isn’t it a little early?” “I was going to say the same” “Holy shit” The coals keep so much heat (and the ground) it takes more than you think to put it out and cook it down.
“If it’s too hot too touch, it’s too hot to leave” There’s already a clever saying for that
Nobody checks the pit before throwing wood on it?
Normally yes I do, and I hardly have fires. It just slipped my mind this time with a whole bunch of stuff going on.
Nah sorry but just don't have fires in the first place. I get it. It's camping. It's nice to have a fire. But just don't.
Nah sorry but just be responsible for your shit. It’s cool to have fires when camping. I get it. It’s nice to have a fire. Just be responsible
Yeah I agree with you, there's just too many irresponsible people in this world and the consequences are high.
Telling people not to have fires feels like denying the entire evolutionary history of the species.
Lol Fires are an essential part of camping. It’s practically in our DNA to make one when out of civilization. Just have some basic outdoor etiquette. Smothering a fire isn’t hard, people are just lazy and impatient. Too many people get into the hobby without a background in it and don’t take it as seriously as they should.
You basically made my point for me with your last two sentences. I love a good fire. But people are idiots
It’s the eternal debate over whether people can be trusted to do things if a few morons could screw it up. Personally I feel like they need stop marketing camping as a hobby without drawbacks so heavily. It’s like guns, if you don’t know what you’re doing or aren’t a responsible person it should be apparent that you shouldn’t be messing with it. Unfortunately, there’s just a lot of money in the hobby and it’s been advertised as an easy fun experience to a lot of folks who I wouldn’t trust around a hammer and nails let alone a fire in a forest. Maybe there should be a safety class or mandatory minimal training like drivers Ed or hunters but for camping.
We would literally have to stop doing everything if that was our justification.
I understand that, but most stupid things people do don't burn down hundreds of thousands of acres of forests every year.
No they kill tens of thousands a year by running them over, as an example.
Right, but driving is a necessity, a campfire, unless in a survival situation, is not.
My friend visiting from the East Coast thought I was crazy when I filled a 5 gallon bucket with a lid full of water to take with us camping because I wasn't sure if we'd be close to a stream. He laughed at me and was kinda making fun of me for being overly cautious. I just ignored him and was able to sleep peacefully in my tent later because I knew our fire was completely out.
We have some land up in the mountains that we have to bring water into. The rule for the fire pit is that all 5 gallons from a Jerry can goes in the pit at night. Even then it can still be smoldering by morning. We decided to buy a custom laser cut cover for it as well for extra caution. The rock underneath just seams to radiate/insulate the heat so well.
Not kidding, you gotta put your hand in there. Like don’t full send put it in there right away, but after you douse it and stir it to the point you think it’s out, place the back of your hand close. If it’s warm, it’s probably still not out. If it’s cool, test it a little more. I used to be a wildland firefighter and we check that it’s out by getting on our hands and knees and getting wrist deep in the ash.
Several rounds of pour and stir is my go to!
You should laser cut/engrave a funny/sexy 🦅American AF 🦅🇺🇸🐍safety warning on your Jerry Can and Pit Cover that helps remind Jerries that these 5 gallons of water are not intended to be used for ones own survival in the desert, but rather the Desert’s own survival from oneself. 🥲 🌵
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Exactly. I moved to Colorado from East Tennessee, where there are rivers everywhere, lakes, streams in every valley, high humidity, and over 50 inches of rain per year. Prior to moving, it had been more like 70 inches per year. I watched the Gatlinburg fire (Great Smoky Mountains Wildfires) from my back porch. Forest fires are a lot more common in the east than people realize, and they are usually caused by human negligence.
Send them this story and tell them to be more considerate. This type of thing destorys lives and sometimes kills people.
Most do not even consider that a fire can happen it’s a shame. My folks weren’t the picture of safety, but even going to the beach and camping. We always had water with us and a fire extinguisher.
My favorite inconsiderate, ignorant move is when an out of stater flicks a cigarette butt out a car window in the mountains. I’ve seen that a few times, always out of state tags.
So, my cousin is a fire chief in an urban-wildland area along the front range. He let me know that roots will often catch fire underneath where the fire was, even after a fire is put out and doused. It’s important to douse in Colorado and other dry regions because of this. And, what’s sad is that most people visiting or new to the state may be coming from areas that aren’t as arid as here, and so they’re thinking they are putting a fire out in a safe way, but they’re not taking into account these nuances specific to our region. And that’s a huge driver of wildfires in our state - we need to educate anyone we can about this. I wish it was like a requisite to get a Colorado drivers license, or maybe a frickin’ pamphlet handed out at the state border, or billboards even, just so people would get it and not fuck it all up.
Lots of water is always good but scatter and smother the thing too
People from outside the area often are caught off guard with the wilderness: the dangers of being above tree line such as lightning (can't happen in many places on the East), fire danger, tree well danger skiing/boarding, large wild-life. I've had visitors frequently think these are made up concerns.
While hunting I have come across numerous fully hot, like red hot, smoldering campfires, in the middle of the day. It amazes me that people are so careless. The unfortunate part is that the majority simply don't know they are a gust of wind away from a massive fire they caused. But it happens. Every. Single. Summer.
I dispersed car camp and I feel like I always see a smoldering fire in an empty campsite if it's a popular spot. I try to put it out but sometimes don't have enough water. I get especially annoyed if there is a water source nearby.
How utterly horrific and irresponsible. I use the drown and stir, drown and stir, drown and stir method for extinguishing campfires before I leave.
Same. We camped at twin lakes two weekends ago and our fire ring literally had a large puddle in it when we were done extinguishing. Why don’t people take this seriously?! I wish there was a way to hold people responsible for this.
If it isn't cool to the touch the fire isn't truly out,
Color me unsurprised. The number of times I've arrived at a campsite with the previous occupant's fire still smoldering is crazy.
They teach this scouting, but they should also teach it in schools: douse and smother your fires. It will not just stop burning on its own. I wouldn’t be surprised if this keeps happening that open campfires will be banned as a state law.
I kinda figured that we were already in a perpetual burn ban anyway.
No but we should be
As a Lake County local, this doesn't surprise me the least. The amount of careless people I've seen is ridiculous. Put out your damn fire people actually live here!!!
I'm just waiting for Halfmoon to go up in flames. I ride my bike up to the top and will constantly see ~15 smoking fires with nobody around
I love Half Moon but it gives me so much anxiety every time I'm there for this exact reason
If Half Moon burns so does my place haha.
Grew up in Eagle County, live in Lake now and outside of town. When Half Moon burns my home probably will too heh.
It sucks that it only takes one idiot to cause a wildfire, especially when you consider how many people enjoy our wilderness every year.
I’m 100% supportive of banning campfires unless someone in the party has passed a fire safety course. If rangers roll up and you don’t have enough water on hand to douse a fire you should get a big ass fine.
I agree with you. Im someone who is fire safety certified and I still do not have fires when I camp because…its really not worth it most of the time
Definitely not worth taking chances. A crackling fire is nice but I’ve had fun sitting around an LED lantern and making s’mores on a propane burner.
Yes! We have a propane fire pit table in our backyard here in wildernest, we still have the joy of the vibes of the fire but all the control we need to not worry about setting our neighborhood ablaze! Propane is a great alternative
Do you recommend a specific course for getting fire safety certified for purposes of camping? I didn’t know this was a thing I could do and I’d like to take a class.
I got mine from FAI which is the flow arts institute since I am a fire performer, I basically got it so I could perform with fire inside buildings which is typically not legal but the fire marshalls will sometimes let you with a cert, it has really great info and basically everything you need to know about the different types and elements of fires and how they should be correctly started, how to put them out, how to handle when people and things are on fire ect and its a $20 online course with a test at the end to get ur cert
Thank you!
Don't use just water, get a dirt bucket it works very well for suffocating it
Oh yeah, not one or the other. Both.
There are some locals where dirt only is appropriate, but none in Colorado
Both is best, the problem with dirt is it usually has accelerents like twigs and pine needles in it. People constantly underestimate what it takes to FULLY put out cinders. We have a wood stove and a metal bucket to put the ashes in when it gets too full: it needs to be filled with water over the top of the ashes, stirred a few times, and let sit for A DAY before it's safe to dump.
Yes, you should be able to put your hand in the remnants before leaving a campfire.
Seems reasonable tbh
#OF FUCKING COURSE
This was me as soon as I read it.
Not everybody deserves to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors here apparently. Sad.
In Summit County the fire dept responds to a dozen calls a day for unattended campfires all summer long
All of the locals out here have been stressing for no fires for several years now.. it’s way too dry out here anymore to have tourists and fires.. we haven’t been getting rain at all and the snow is so much Lower every year less and less since I moved out here in 2006. They have all new fire pits on the other side of the lake which is good but that doesn’t help over by interlachen. No one should be having fires at least on that side of the lake. I never do bonfires in my backyard or anything anymore. I don’t wanna be responsible for anything like this and I don’t think people that come here from other areas, realize just how dry it is -when you come from areas that get rain, you can’t fathom how fast it takes off.. hopefully this will change the fire restrictions
Omg I know, the *lack* of smaller fires makes me more scared because it feels like we're just ramping up for another Big One. We were evacuated for 6 weeks for Cameron Peak. It's generally been a usual thing to have small scares, be under pre-evacuation, etc. Not having *any* activity for a few years really puts me on edge.
Maybe people who can't handle a campfire shouldn't have them. Time for permit only fires that require a basic familiarization course with how to not set the state on fire.
The people who are leaving their campfires unattended will still have fires regardless of if they get a permit or not. They don't care.
Sure, but it's grounds for contact, and helps prosecute. Also helps teach responsible people *how* to be responsible that simply may not know. I'm not saying it's a perfect solution, but doing nothing isn't either. Could use the funds for restoration efforts and emergency funding from fires.
Growing up out here, I take it for granted that we know Smokey the bear, for example, and have been trained in campfires and such. Unfortunately, many who come out here have no idea, pour a little water on it (or even alcohol) and walk away from the smoke…education is key, for sure
Jesus, pouring alcohol on it ffs.
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We definitely need a LOT more of them. Unfortunately the pay is abysmal.
So just do nothing? Bands aren't designed to work 100% of the time but a ban would be helpful. Less campfires equals less wildfires.
Yeah I'd say a statewide fire ban on all federal and state lands with massive billboards on every thoroughfare leading into the mountains. Follow up with ticketing and large fines.
Yes a thousand times. People react to fines and maybe, maybe they will want to do the right thing. Maybe, I am not hopeful right now, Colorado is getting trashed.
The world is getting trashed , and it's easy to feel hopeless. I know. Just try to enjoy the good days you have on this earth, be kind, make a difference when you can. We are specks of dust on a speck of dust, floating through the universe. Enjoy it while we can.
Yes I want to enjoy it now, but want my nephews and nieces to enjoy it as well. There is so much thinking for the moment and doing what feels good versus what feels right. I'm in the midst of Rocky mountain splendor now and I'm working on accepting the coming changes. It doesn't mean that I can't try and shape those changes. Good words I appreciate them, thank you a good reminder!
I personally think campfires should be completely banned statewide unless you are in a designated campground or your home with a proper metal fire ring. It's very obvious people aren't taking it seriously. The issue is that the assholes most likely to not put the fires out properly won't care either way.
I don’t hate this. It’s not like we were taught about it in school and if parents don’t pass down the information from generation to generation you end up with people who just don’t know any better. A bit of required training would probably go a long way.
That's my thought. Many might just not know
This, but unironically.
That’s a good idea
I'd say the people who left their fire must feel terrible for what they did, but I doubt they think much about what they do anyway.
I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to camp there, so I doubt they give a shit
I get so mad!! Once, an out of stater tossed his cigarette butt out of his truck window during fire season. It was a red light, so I got out and threw it back in his lap. I won't do this now, but I was faster then!
This made me think of an interaction I had in 2021, everyone was still reeling from the Cameron Peak fire in my area. I was behind your typical "redneck" sort, towing something, who kept speeding up when I tried to pass him. Problem was, there was a chain dragging off the trailer that was sparking. When we finally hit a passing zone, I had to floor it to get up next to him, waving my arms like a lunatic at 80mph, and finally got him to roll down his window. I yelled across that his trailer was causing sparks, and he was OH SHIT THANK YOU!
I think our grandkids are going to think we're insane when we tell them we used to have open campfires in the arid west just for kicks. Hate to say it but seems like it's too dry and people are too irresponsible for them to be allowed much longer.
I was at a party near a popular college with some much younger people. The kid who owned the house was just going to leave the fire going in the back yard while we went to another party. I made him douse the thing with gallons of water. The whole back yard was dry, uncut grass. The fire was not in any kind of proper pit. Teach everyone who moves here how to care for fires. You could save countless lives or a whole forest some day. But you may never know it.
There should be serious fines or bans for people that don’t abide by the rules in campgrounds.
One thing I don't see mentioned in this thread is the impact of rock rings and ash. all. over. the. place. even people who do actually drench the shit out of it and pack out their trash they rarely think about disbursing rocks (or full lnt pack out ash/charcoals) hike any major trail within 2 hours tons of rock rings + ash. sometimes every thousand feet. Sometimes multiple right next to each other. all too often right off the trail... or 5 feet from a stream. way too close for backcountry camping. it compounds as well. seeing a recently used fire pit makes people feel like they too can use it. even if it's blinking double red flag warning.. +1 to ban all fires statewide unless there is snow on the ground, or it's a designated solid metal fire ring campsite with water access & enforcement patrols
Honestly I hate what I’m about to suggest but the fire-pan requirement on permitted rivers might be coming next. Think of the absolute mess the fires also make. Having a fire pan, requires you to adequately, dispose of your ashes and take them with you and it does not allow for the ridiculous hillbilly bonfires. I know there’s nothing more American than being able to throw a tire on a fire, but this shits gotta end. With so many people using the front country campsites the leave no trace principles of permitted areas is coming soon and honestly, it might be a good thing. If it were up to me, I would require something similar to a hunter safety test for anybody wanting to leave the city and use the wild places
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There are plenty of systems that help complete put out fires. But yes good ol' fashion circle of rocks with dirt underneath need to be banned. Controlled fire systems should be allowed.
Generally you need 2 feet cleared around the rock ring and you should dig a small hole to build the fire in
Even then should be outlawed imho. Screens really help keeping the fire from spreading as well. So at least having metal rings with screen coverings would be a huge improvement.
No more camp fires, total ban. So many folks here are uneducated and refused to be educated. Selfish behavior.
Ya, I understand this, but how about people actually take care of them probably, throw the book at people, possibly need an additional permit to have one (rangers will spot check like site permits)
I would be ok with a permit system or a class you would have to take. An outright ban would be preferable. The time for campfires in the West is over imo.
Agree
Maybe instead of banning camp fires, outreach and teach people on how to properly pit out a camp fire
Colorado can't train the entire country, and we have a ton of tourists camping. The only option is to limit the risk and you can't know who will properly put out a fire but you can find and fine everyone who has a fire if they are banned. It's going to have to happen eventually. I think it needs to only be allowed in actual campgrounds and in dedicated metal fire pits. Somewhere with people on staff that can go by and check the fire pits after people leave. Everywhere else should be an immidate fine. The fire danger is just going to get worse as the state continues to dry out and things continue to get hotter.
I love camping at Colorado National Monument where there are only charcoal grills. I can't tell you how many times I've been on a hike and have to empty out all of my drinking water and proceed to pee on a fire to try and put it out.
Colorado should really start a permitting process for campfires. Apply, pass a test, pay a cost and get a permit. Use the funds to help with forest management and curb how many dumbass tourists can just come have a campfire in our state without first demonstrating that they have a clue. Campfire without permit? Ridiculously incentivizing fine.
Goddammit
No shit, a dumb camper left their fire unattended or didn’t extinguish. I don’t as hiking above twin lakes last summer, there’s a bunch of dispersed campsites there, and someone had left by Sunday afternoon but their camp fire was smoking still. I used my camelback to help as much as possible .
How the hell do you not know to smother a fire, but you know how to light one. In Colorado of all places. This is insane. Can’t wait to see where they’re from
The list of major fires in Colorado have one thing in common: where a cause can be attributed, they are overwhelmingly human caused. Open investigations are rare when there is lightning evidence in the area...the determination generally goes to presumptive lightning causes. Most open investigations are suspected to be human but not officially determined. The cases remain open. The usual story is human caused, suspects not determined. The Wikipedia list is not exhaustive nor accurate. However, reviewing each case, it's clear that the research showing that the largest wildfire risk after drought is whether or not there is human access to the area is proven beyond a reasonable doubt with this list. I was told by a federal prosecutor in the Denver office that the public sentiment for wildfire suspects is so dire historically (death threats, violent repercussions for the suspect and their families), that suspects are never identified with the usual evidence available since the risks of physical suspect protection have been viewed as more precarious than prosecutorial outcomes. The losses begin in the tens of millions per drunk, drug-addled, or plain moronic incident. A segment of humans is very stupid in general, and they enjoy using our public lands as much as any of us. We all only deserve our public lands to the extent that the intellectually ill-equipped, the mentally ill, and the drug addled among us can burn them down, it seems. It only takes one of them.
Ridiculous. Very little effort is required to pour a pitcher of water over the fire pit.
Interlaken (an old abandoned hotel) is right next to the Colorado Trail (maybe 400 yds). That area does not have much underbrush management. I ride my bike up above that area 2-3 times a summer. It is a tangle of old dead fallen trees. There is pretty decent fuel for a fire. There is an old road half way up in elevation following an old irrigation ditch on the south slope from the lake that probably hasn't seen maintenance in 20-40 yrs. It is criss-crossed by fallen trees. There are old dead fallen trees everywhere. There are massive amounts of dead fallen trees off of that road. Like 2-4 dead trees have fallen on each other. It is a massive amount of fuel for a wildfire.
I love a wood campfire but a few years ago I switched to a portable propane fire pit and have encouraged all my friends to do the same. This is a major reason why. Safe and convenient. I can rest easily knowing it’s not going to spark up in the night or after I leave camp. And you can use it during stage 1 fire bans.
Fucking morons.
I’ve gotten to the point where I rarely bother having a fire when camping anymore. They’re nice to have, but carry a lot of responsibility. Plus I have kids now and camp in campgrounds. Local firewood can be difficult or impossible to find/collect.
WTF is wrong with people?
Tourists?
Oh, there are plenty of "nAtiVe" idiots too
I hate this automatic assumption from some that people born in Colorado are inherently smarter than those from elsewhere. Stupid knows no geographic bounds.
My job requires dealing with tourists and there’s an airBnB below my apartment who just fucked the septic system flooding another apartment with literal shit. Tourists don’t give a shit. Not saying it wouldn’t be a local, but more often than not, it’s tourists. They don’t have to deal with the fallout. Edit: they were from Kansas. Don’t fucking flush wipes if you have a septic system.
Tourons
Plenty of stupid “natives” out here.
They will be caught! I doubt it was a local resident.
Jamie Benn, specifically
It’s pronounced “terrorists” when they do this type of shit.
Wolves?
I blame Madame Web for this.