Re: Camp Fires

[Bruce030]

hello everyone! can someone please clarify whether you can/cannot have a campfire. i know of a pretty good source of firewood near Lake Tahoe and wouldn't mind bringing a truck load in but Im reading conflicting info. Also we are not in a camp yet and I have no idea where we'll be camping (smoke issues, ect)

Thanks!

[motskyroonmatick]

It's in the survival guide. But from memory you need a 20 foot radius to anything combustable. You need 5 gallons of water on hand to extinguish the fire if it becomes dangerous---Sudden high wind/blowing embers. The fire pit device must contain the fire and the ashes. Most importantly you must protect the playa from the effects of fire and heat so your fire device must be at minimum 6 inches oof the playa to any hot surface and I highly recommend a barrier between the playa and your fire device. Fire wood handling can be an incredibly MOOPY process and wood Bark is incredibly moopy so think through your fire wood handling strategy. If you ever set firewood directly on the playa you should expect to spend significant time cleaning up that area. I say all of this from experience.

[Token]

Answers are on the website.

https://burningman.org/event/participat ... eme-camps/

Open Fire Within Theme Camps

The burning of any art installation, wooden structure, or other objects or materials in direct contact with the playa, or without appropriate fireproof containment, is not allowed in any camping area.

Open fire within the camping area is limited to simple burning of solid or unpressurized liquid fuels away from the playa surface and within appropriate fireproof containment (e.g., burn barrels or other raised containers, lanterns, candles, etc.).

Burn barrels or other containers should be secured against tipping over, and constructed in a way that the bottom surface is at least six inches from the playa to prevent baking or scarring of the playa surface.

No burn barrels or other open fire shall be left unattended. At least one camp member should be designated fire tender and be within visual distance at all times. If found unattended while lit, open flames or burn barrels may be extinguished and/or confiscated if there is sufficient threat of hazard.

If winds pick up, all open fire must be put out immediately and burn barrels must be extinguished if they begin to throw sparks.

Open fire displays greater than 10 feet tall should be secured from the wind and their safety perimeters increased appropriately.

Open fire or burn barrels must be extinguished at the request of any Ranger, FAST and/or Emergency Services personnel.

A 20 foot zone around the fire must be free of any combustible materials such as (but not limited to) cloth, paper, tents, plastic, etc.

A supply of at least five gallons of water must be kept on hand to extinguish wood fires in case of high winds or other hazards. Wind can blow embers and sparks a long distance across the playa!

[some seeing eye]

While your inspiration is cool, doing it is impractical.

Sometimes there are burn barrels along the Esplanade which are tended. You don't need to bring one.

We had one in our camp years ago. It fills with ash part way through the week. You need to get the ash out of the burn barrel/burn container after it is cooled, and into sealed containers, usually 5 gallon with tight lids, to haul to the dump without it blowing everywhere. People will also throw all kinds of things in the fire to avoid taking home trash. They, including random people, especially use it as a trash incinerator late in the week. Then getting it put out and the ash removed becomes a big challenge.

When you get to Black Rock City, if you have not been, you will understand how easily a wind-blown fire could destroy the city and end the event, and a lot of people would be ended too.

Once you arrive and get your camp set up, go to Playa Info if you want to volunteer and meet people that way. There are many opportunities to contribute to our temporary city beyond bringing firewood, we are a fire festival, so there is plenty of fuel already!