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In-depth

Previous In-depths Landmark land settlement Carbon Conundrum Caribou in Canada The Mackenzie Delta Torngat Mountains Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) Travels with Louis British Columbia's Gulf Islands Moose on the loose Sustainable cities Icebergs Canada's musical landscape Quebec's James Bay Ottawa Valley Green with jade Hunting for cures Wild horses Canada's Bison Canada's place in the world Lessons learned in schools Power of powwows Cougars in Canada Greenland sharks Boreal birds Arctic grizzlies Lake Erie's Fire in the boreal forest Energy matters Parks for all Bighorn sheep Finding our way in the wilderness Shipwrecks of Nova Scotia Canada's grizzly bears

Contents Feature - Forest fires Let it burn! The forest of fire Smoke Jumper Canada's incendiary past GIS Safe campfire Facts Cartographer's table Games CG vault Re:sources

Camping season is here! It's the time of year when musty tents are plucked from the dark recesses of the garage and hiking boots are dusted off and packed for the weekend, for the week, or maybe even for the summer.

Just the very act of being in the midst of our country's natural splendor is enough to rejuvenate and inspire even the most inexperienced adventurer. Camping has many draws, but some of the most commonly enjoyed and popular among them are the meditative moments when sitting around a simple ring of rocks that cradles a cheery blaze.

As you revel in the great outdoors this season, here are 10 great tips to keep in mind for enjoying a safe, responsible campfire:

1. Build your fire at least three metres away from any logs, stumps or standing trees, and at least 15 metres away from any buildings or forest debris. It should also be built downwind, and away from your tent.
   
   
2. Clear a space one metre around your campfire site, removing any leaves, twigs, or flammable debris.
   
   
3. Where an existing fire ring is not available, build it on bare rock, or scrape the site down to mineral soil or non-combustible material.
   
   
4. Make sure there is at least a three-metre space between the top of your fire and any overhanging branches.
   
   
5. Keep your fire small! The forest is not the place for large bonfires, and besides, smaller fires are better for cooking. Yours shouldn't be any taller or wider than one metre.
   
   
6. Your fire should ALWAYS be attended by a responsible adult.
   
   
7. Have a shovel and a pail of water handy in the event that you need to extinguish the fire quickly.
   
   
8. Never use gasoline to start a fire.
   
   
9. Always obey park service regulations in regard to campfires.
   
   And perhaps most importantly...
   
   
10. MAKE SURE YOUR CAMPFIRE IS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED before retiring at night or leaving camp.

Remember: Canada's parks and forest lands are far too valuable to be squandered through carelessness. So, when you're foraging through your garage looking for your misplaced tent, see if you can't also find a shovel and bucket to throw in the trunk and keep by the fire. Do your part in preserving our country's rugged beauty and the safety of your camping experience.

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