C is for Campfires

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One very important aspect of what I am learning this semester are the seven Leave No Trace principles. One of those is Minimize Campfire Impacts and above is a picture of one of the ways you can do that.

By creating a mound fire or building up a pile of dirt on top of a garbage bag or aluminum foil you can raise the fire off the ground and keep it from scarring the land, addtionally it will help to contain the ashes. So when you’re done burning your fire, which can be larger than the twiggy fire shown in the picture, all you have to do is scatter the ashes.

Having campfires on a trip in the backcountry is a luxury and not a right. Our professors have admitted that we’re the group that most loves to have campfires over the past few years and they allow us to enjoy them because we have good LNT practices.

As a camper and outdoorsy person I can say how much I LOVE campfires and smelling like campfire smoke after a weekend in a tent. And, as an LNT Master Educator I can say I know how to minimize my campfire impacts as best as possible.

Please comment or visit the Leave No Trace website if you have any questions about the seven principles.