With Campfire Season Upon On Us, Remember to Play It Safe with Fire

Memorial Day weekend may not provide perfect weather for campfires this year, but it can't hurt to try when a weather window allows.  From this weekend on, there will be more and more fires and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to be safe with campfires at all times.   

It doesn't take much to play it safe with campfires and it also doesn't take much for one to get out hand.  The DNR recommends all campfires should be:

• Clear of any burnable material 5 feet in all directions around the fire.
• Built within a designated fire ring 3 feet or less in diameter.
• Kept to 3 feet or less in height.
• Legal—check if to see if local municipality requires a permit.

For people who don’t have a campsite with a designated fire ring, select a safe place for the  campfire. Choose a level area away from dry grass, shrubs or logs that is free of overhanging branches. Then scoop out a depression in the center of the area and put a ring of rocks around it.

I know that drinking around the campfire can be a lot of fun.  However, please don't let a drunk person near the fire as one simple stumble can lead to a lifetime of pain and scars.

We also have a rule where our kids are never allowed to play anywhere near a fire and they are also never allowed to have their back to the flames.

Sitting around a campfire is one of my favorite things to do and here's to many opportunities to get out and do it without any accidents.