Candles, Tiki Torches, open flames:
Charming, but not ideal at Burning Man. These are discouraged because of the obvious fire danger should they be knocked or blown over. Tiki torches are especially discouraged, as they seem to blow over quite easily in the playa winds and can be rather difficult to get anchored well in the soft playa. They cannot be left unattended. You should avoid having any open fire in your camp unless you can make sure that it will be watched over by someone responsible at all times. A burning tent in high winds could become a real disaster instantly. Our page on Playa Protection and Burn Scar Prevention has additional information on open fire at Burning Man and additional fire safety information can be found on our Creating Dangerous Art Safely page.
Q. So what's the deal with fire?
A. Here's the deal with open fire within theme camps. Everyone enjoys a campfire around which to gather, or the light of a tiki torch to guide them back to camp at night, but open fire presents a unique set of challenges on the playa. Wind is an ever-present aspect of the Black Rock desert and must be taken into consideration. Winds can blow sparks and embers out of fire barrels and blow them across the open playa great distances until they settle against something (tents, shade structures, camping gear, art works, etc.). Wind is also a factor with tiki torches and taller flame effects. Precautions should be taken to prevent the wind from knocking them over, and a sufficient perimeter around them kept clear from flammables. To help you prepare for and use open flame or flame effects in your camp we have created these guidelines to help keep your camp safe and to protect the safety of participants. Please read them thoroughly.
Guidelines for open fires, burn barrels, tiki torches etc within theme camps:
1. No fire barrels or open fires shall be left unattended. At least one camp member will be designated fire tender and be within visual distance at all times. If found unattended while lit, open fires or burn barrels may be extinguished and/or confiscated if there is sufficient hazard.
2. If winds pick up, all open fires must be put out immediately and burn barrels must be extinguished if they begin to throw sparks.
3. Open fire above 10 feet tall shall be secured from the wind and the safety perimeter increased appropriately.
4. Open fire or burn barrels must be extinguished at the request of any Ranger or Emergency Services personnel.
5. A 20-foot Zone around the fire must be free of any flammable materials, such as but not limited to: cloth, paper, tents, plastic, etc.
6. All liquid fuels must be kept at least 50 feet away from any open flame. Please check out the guidelines for the storage of fuels at Burning Man.
7. A supply of at least 5 gallons of water must be kept on hand to extinguish the fire in case of high winds (wind can blow embers and sparks a long distance on the playa!) or other hazards.
8. Burn barrels shall be secured and constructed in a way that the burning surface is at least 6 inches from the playa to prevent baking or scarring of the playa surface.
9. Note: please remember that gasoline is a dangerous fuel to use to start fires. Explosive vapors can instantly build up as it is applied and as the fire is lit it can flash and burn you!
So, you are going to rationalize this until you get confirmation?benthegrate wrote:I'm a hard core camper, I never leave a fire unattended, regardless of where I am. I'm going to be our camp manager/custodian. Don't plan on leaving camp very often this year.
It's an event where half the city is burnt down at the end of the week and you're surprised that the related BBS has a bit of flaming on it?? Tsk tsk tsk...benthegrate wrote:After almost a week of reading forum posts, I'm really surprised at how much flaming goes on here. I know there are tens of thousands of people who attend BM, I just hope the majority of them are friendlier than the ones who hang out on the forums! Sheesh!
Thanks to all of you who posted rationally, I really do appreciate it!
shit. save the gas money. camp local.I'm a hard core camper, I never leave a fire unattended, regardless of where I am. I'm going to be our camp manager/custodian. Don't plan on leaving camp very often this year.
Oh, the opportunities missed when you're an honest working man instead of a tourist.Bob wrote: I was about 200 ft away at the time... wish I had a camera on me instead of a tool belt.
Just a shot in the dark here, but the only rule that I'm aware of that applies to the walk-in camping area that does apply just about everywhere else is is the no cars rule.Badger wrote:Here's one I was not able to answer:
"I know automobiles (and generators??) are forbidden out in the walk-in camping area. What's the policy on having one's own personal burn barrel out there?"
