Scouts and fire go together. We cook over it, gather around it, tell stories beside it, and teach young people how to use it safely.
But here in northern Nevada, fire has been less than romantic lately.
As I write this on August 16, the Bug Fire north of Reno has burned more than 94,000 acres, while the Stallion Fire has burned more than 40,000. Both have been identified as human-caused. Homes have been lost, people evacuated, roads closed, and firefighters have risked their lives and spent countless hours trying to contain both fires.
A good campfire does not need to be huge. A small fire can cook dinner, provide warmth, make s’mores, and give everyone a place to gather. It also uses less wood, throws fewer sparks, is easier to control, and is much easier to put completely out. Bigger is not better just because a big fire feels like camping, or is cool.
Across much of the West, including parts of the Sierra Nevada, strict fire restrictions are already in place. Before lighting anything, Scouts and leaders need to know the current rules where they are camping.
But even if a fire is allowed, there is still another question: is it smart?
Dry grass, wind, low humidity, or sparks drifting outside the ring may be good reasons to keep the fire smaller or skip it completely. Following the rules is important, but good outdoor judgment goes beyond simply asking what is permitted.
Knowing how to start a fire is useful. Knowing when to make it smaller, when to put it out, and when not to light one at all shows maturity, integrity, and a deep understanding of the Outdoor Code.
If you do have a campfire, keep it small, keep water and tools nearby, watch the wind, and make sure the fire is out and cold before leaving.
On one camping trip, the people next to us started a morning fire, then began packing up to leave. Eventually they drove away with flames still rising well above the fire ring. We kept an eye on it while it burned down. Before we left, we poured what water we had on it, but this was a dry camp and the nearest potable water spigot was a few miles away. On our way out, we stopped and told the camp host. Somebody else's unattended fire should never have become our responsibility, but leaving it burning wasn't an option either.
The trees, the creatures that live there, and keeping these places healthy and open for the people who come after us matter too. Fires can close campgrounds and whole areas for months or years, just as repeated abuse can eventually get places restricted or shut down altogether.
Be sane, be safe, be responsible... if conditions say no fire tonight, camping will survive. Pull out the lanterns, tell stories, look at the stars, and give Smokey Bear one less thing to worry about.