Check current fire restrictions first, then build a small fire in an existing ring or a raised fire pit, away from tents and overhanging branches, with water and a shovel nearby. To put it out, drown it with water, stir the ashes, drown it again, and feel for heat with the back of your hand. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
- Fire restrictions can change daily during dry weather.
- Keep a bucket of water and a shovel within reach.
- Drown, stir, and feel until the ashes are cold.
- Buy firewood where you burn it to avoid moving tree pests.
Check restrictions before you go
Land managers raise fire restrictions as conditions dry out. Names and stages differ by agency and region, but they usually work in steps:
| Level | What it often means |
|---|---|
| No restrictions | Campfires allowed where fires are normally permitted |
| Partial restrictions | Fires only in provided rings or grills at developed sites |
| Full ban | No wood or charcoal fires; often only stoves with an on/off valve |
| Closure | Areas closed to entry in extreme conditions |
Check the land manager's website or call the ranger station the day you arrive. A raised or "smokeless" wood-burning fire pit is still a wood fire and is usually banned when campfires are.
Pick a safe fire site
- Use an existing fire ring or a raised fire pit rather than building a new ring.
- Clear a wide circle of leaves, needles, and dry grass around the fire.
- Look up. Avoid low branches, and keep the fire well away from tents, vehicles, and gear.
- Watch the wind. Skip the fire on gusty days; embers travel further than you think.
Build a fire that burns clean
- Start with tinder. Dry grass, birch bark, or a fire starter.
- Add kindling. Pencil-thin dry sticks in a small teepee or log-cabin shape.
- Feed fuel slowly. Add wrist-thick dead and down wood as the kindling catches.
- Keep it small. A small, hot fire produces less smoke and is easier to control and put out.
Field tipDry, seasoned wood is the single biggest factor in a low-smoke fire. Wet or green wood smolders and smokes in any fire pit.
Put it out cold
- Drown it. Pour water slowly over all embers, not just the red ones.
- Stir it. Mix ashes and embers with a shovel or stick and scrape burned sticks and logs.
- Drown it again. Keep adding water until hissing stops.
- Feel it. Hold the back of your hand near the ashes. If you feel heat, repeat.
Safety firstNever bury a fire with dirt alone. Buried coals can stay hot for hours and reignite.
Firewood: buy it where you burn it
Firewood can carry invasive insects and diseases that kill trees. Many areas restrict moving firewood. Buy local wood near your campsite or certified heat-treated wood, and burn it all before you leave.
A few good questions.
How do you know when a campfire is completely out?
When you can hold the back of your hand near the ashes and feel no heat, and there is no hissing or smoke after you drown and stir it.
Are smokeless fire pits allowed during fire bans?
Usually not. Wood-burning fire pits, including smokeless designs, are typically treated as campfires. Gas appliances with an on/off valve are sometimes allowed; check the specific order.
Can you put out a campfire with dirt?
Dirt alone is not enough because it can insulate hot coals. Use water, stir, and repeat. Use dirt or sand only when water is not available, and still stir until cool.
Why shouldn't I bring firewood from home?
Firewood can carry invasive pests and diseases that spread to new forests. Buy firewood near where you will burn it.
Gear that helps.
Fortus Flame 6 Series Compact Smokeless Fire Pit
Best forCar and RV campers who want a full-size wood fire pit that folds down for vehicle storage
We recommend the Fortus Flame 6 Series Compact for drive-in campers who want a 24-inch square fire pit but need it to pack flatter between trips. The six-panel design folds to 24 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall; the tradeoff is a still-large package and no clearly identified net carry weight.
Save about $30.00 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 16, 2026 · Fortus Flame US store · Current sale price; confirm destination taxes and any shipping charges at checkout.
Fortus Flame 6 Series XL Smokeless Fire Pit
Best forDrive-in campers and RV travelers who want a larger shared wood-fire area and have room for a 30-inch folded panel package
We recommend the Fortus Flame 6 Series XL for drive-in groups who want more fire-pit space than the 24-inch Compact and can plan around a 30-inch folded package. Its six-panel body folds to 3.5 inches tall, but the weight field is not identified as net or shipping weight.
Save about $40.00 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 17, 2026 · Fortus Flame US store · Current sale price, shown by the store below a $449.99 comparison price. The 10% code estimate is calculated from $399.99 only. The product page advertises free shipping/returns while its shipping copy says rates vary by size and destination, so confirm the delivered total.
BPS Knives Bushmate 2.0
Best forCampers and bushcraft users who carve, prepare food, and handle routine cutting at camp
We recommend the BPS Knives Bushmate 2.0 for campers who will put a fixed blade to work on controlled wood carving, food prep, and everyday camp cuts. Its 98mm Scandi-ground 1066 carbon-steel blade keeps the package compact; the tradeoff is regular rust-preventive care.
Save about $5.50 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 16, 2026 · BPS Knives US store · Store does not state tax treatment here; shipping and any other promotion are confirmed at checkout.
Our approach
Written by Outdoor Gear Verdict Editorial. Grounded in US land-management fire-safety guidance and Leave No Trace practice. Always follow local regulations and the manufacturer instructions for your equipment. Read our editorial standards.
