Fire Pit and Campfire Safety Tips: Avoid Liability in a Wildfire Disaster
Before putting on your flannels and gathering around the campfire, ensure you’re doing it safely and legally. According to the National Park Service, nearly 85 percent of wildfires are caused by humans. Follow these steps to ensure that you and your guests stay safe around open flames.
- Check with your local fire authority before striking that match. The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands requires a permit before any open burn campfires. In addition to state requirements, most municipalities in New Hampshire have specific ordinances that dictate your ability to have a backyard fire.
- Check the local fire danger. New Hampshire uses the National Fire Danger Rating System to assess local fire danger. This sign is often seen in front of the firehouse, forestry building or other municipal offices. Similar to a stoplight, a green sign indicates that there’s a low likelihood that a fire will grow out of control; and red means there’s extreme danger that fires will spread rapidly and uncontrollably.
- Create a safe environment. Ensure that the area around your fire is entirely nonflammable and debris-free. Having a water source nearby is a good idea to extinguish any unexpected ignitions.
- Burn responsibly. It’s imperative to only burn proper materials. Domestic untreated wood, treated campfire wood, brush and charcoal are safe to burn, but other items, such as construction wood scraps, wall coverings, shingles and untreated wood from out-of-state are all prohibited. Inhaling the smoke from these prohibited items may also cause significant respiratory issues.
- Properly extinguish your fire before leaving. Even though your fire may be slowly dying out, a single escaping spark can create an out-of-control blaze. Before leaving your fire, douse it in water or cover it with dirt until you no longer see red coals. Using a poker, turn over larger logs still in place and soak the undersides to prevent later re-ignition.
Before striking that match, ensure you understand and follow state and local guidance. Failure to do so may result in fines, destruction of property or worse.
About Wescott Law
At Wescott Law, we have a team of attorneys ready to help if you or a family member are facing criminal or civil liability charges due to a wildfire. Wescott Law is dedicated to serving the legal needs of businesses and individuals in the Lakes Region and beyond. Our main office is located in Laconia with satellite locations in Meredith and Plymouth.