Its Fire Season: Here’s 5 Tips To Stay Safe In The Woods This Summer

With summer right around the corner, it's time to get outside and spend the night out under the stars. There's really nothing better than gathering a few friends and hanging out around a campfire late into the night after a big adventure together. It's also the time of year to remember some basics with Smokey Bear to prevent a cozy campfire turning into a dangerous wild fire. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2022, nearly 70,000 wildfires burned approximately 7.6 million acres of land nationally. There is, of course, the golden rule of never leaving a campfire unattended, but here's a few other things to think about. 

1. DO NOT build a campfire if the campground, area or event rules prohibit them. Sometimes digging of pits may be prohibited due to archaeological or other concerns.

2. Always choose a site at least 15 feet from tent walls, shrubs, trees or other flammable objects.

3. Choose an open, level location away from heavy fuels such as logs, brush or decaying leaves - these can unexpectedly catch a spark and quickly lead to an out of control fire.

4. Take wind, and its direction, into account when choosing the site. Choose a spot that’s protected from gusts.

5. Always put out your fire completely. Let wood burn to ash if possible, and pour water over the fire or bury it with sand until the hissing sound stops. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

A portion of the proceeds from this officially licensed Smokey Bear collection goes directly to the United States Forest Service and helps fund nationwide wildfire prevention efforts. Get your favorite Smokey Bear x TGR apparel at shop.tetongravity.com.