Campfire Safety

Fire prevention is a responsibility all of us share. It is important to understand safe fire practices so that everyone can enjoy Yukon's forests. The following are some tips for both residents and recreationalists that will help to prevent damage or injury from an out-of-control fire.

When building your campfire, keep these things in mind:

choose your site carefully

prepare your campfire by removing all leaves, twigs and other flammable material from the area

use a designated fire pit or build a ring of rocks at least three metres from shrubs, structures and debris

keep your fire under control and prevent it from sparking into surrounding bushes and tress

never leave your campfire unattended

When extinguishing your campfire:

pour water on the fire and douse the site thoroughly

stir the campfire until there are no embers and the ashes are cold to the touch

During the spring and fall, many Yukoners take the opportunity to clear their property by burning dead trees, leaves and debris from around their property. If done properly, this can be very effective. Always make sure to keep these tips in mind when doing any sort of backyard or debris burning:

always burn during a safe time of year, in the fall or just after green-up in the spring

never burn under windy conditions or when conditions are hot and dry

stay with the fire until it is completely out

keep a hose and hand tools nearby to extinguish your fire

avoid burning near buildings, trees or grass

keep your fire at a controllable size

remember to obtain a burning permit before taking on any sort of burning

A recipe for campfire success (PDF 84KB).

To Report Wildfires Call: 1-888-798-FIRE (3473)