Campfire safety: build it right, put it out cold, and how Japan's new fire warnings work

NPS says nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans (based on 2000 to 2017 data), including campfires left unattended. Smokey Bear's program puts it at nearly 9 in 10. Smokey also says abandoned or improperly extinguished campfires are a major cause. A safe campfire is mostly about three moments: deciding whether to build one, keeping it small and watched, and putting it out completely.

Before you light it

• Check the rules. Each park has its own rules on where and when you can have a campfire (NPS). Dry, windy weather can mean bans. At Sequoia and Kings Canyon, for example, restrictions can ban wood and charcoal fires in campgrounds while still allowing gas, propane and alcohol stoves.
• Clear the space. Keep tents, gear and other flammables at least 15 feet away and upwind (NPS, Smokey Bear). The U.S. Fire Administration says at least 25 feet from tents, shrubs and anything that can burn. Smokey also asks for vertical clearance of at least three times the flame height.
• Keep it small so it stays under control (NPS).
• Never use gasoline or other accelerants (NPS).

While it burns

Never leave a campfire unattended, and keep water nearby (NPS). Whitish or gray coals can hold heat for hours and flare up if the wind gusts.

Putting it out: Drown, Stir, Drown, Feel

1. Drown: pour lots of water on the fire until the hissing stops.
2. Stir: use a shovel to stir the water into the embers and ash.
3. Drown again.
4. Feel: hover the back of your hand over the ashes to check they're cool.

Smokey Bear's rule of thumb: if it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Don't rely on dirt or sand. NPS explains that kicking dirt on a fire can "bank" the coals and keep them hot even longer, and Joshua Tree National Park prohibits burying or covering fire and ashes with dirt. Joshua Tree also notes that people who cause a wildfire are responsible for the financial consequences.

How Japan handles it

Japan's Forestry Agency reports that among forest fires with a known cause, bonfires are the largest single cause at 32.5% (2020 to 2024 average), followed by agricultural burning, arson and cigarettes. Fires concentrate from February to May, when air is dry and winds are strong (Fire and Disaster Management Agency).

From January 2026, many municipalities began issuing two new levels:

If you camp in Japan in late winter or spring, check the municipality's announcements before lighting anything.

Our suggestions

• Bring a bucket and a small shovel every time; a water bottle isn't enough to drown a fire.
• On high-danger days, cook on a stove and skip the fire; see Camp stove and fuel canister safety.
• Don't burn trash in a campfire.