Camping fire safety

Australia is certainly a beautiful land to explore. But with the warmer weather comes greater fire danger. Learning about fire safety is essential for every Australian and it’s best to start that education young.

Unfortunately, Australia’s landscape and average temperatures are perfect for the ignition and spread of bushfires. Small fires can easily grow in unfavourable conditions, like strong wind and no rain. The onus is on every Australian to do their part in preventing fires.

Children are definitely the future! Fire safety is a message that needs to be taught from a very young age, of course using age-appropriate language. Much like you would teach a child not to play with matches, you should also teach them about fire safety when camping.

Alarmingly, statistics indicate that child burn injuries during camping experiences are predominantly inflicted by ashes and coals left from the night before. In fact, a report from the University of Queensland states that roughly 70 per cent of serious campfire burns to children are caused by hot ashes and coals rather than active flames. While the onus is on adults to supervise their children and ensure that fires are properly extinguished, children should also be taught about fire safety and burn prevention.

The reasons behind fire safety

These are largely self-explanatory. Fires are a significant risk to human health and the environment. Respect for your surroundings is an important part of camping. Never leave rubbish behind and never leave a smoking fire behind. As avid animal lovers, children usually feel an affinity with wildlife, so it’s a great idea to explain the risks of bushfires to animal health and the sustainability of their habitats.

The tragic 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria highlighted the plight of wildlife in bushfire season. The iconic image of Sam the koala receiving water from firefighter David Tree of the CFA in Victoria made headlines internationally. Sam was a trooper and her survival and rescue provided hope to all Australians. Children and adults alike were heartened by Sam’s survival, but it was a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by Australia’s diverse wildlife. Sadly, dear Sam passed away in August 2009 of an unrelated illness, but her legend lives on, and she continues to be the poster girl of the effects of fire on wildlife.

Safe camping

The good old campfire is a popular staple for travellers. In appropriate weather, a campfire provides warmth, food and a social centre for those who want to connect. However, there are rules on how to use a campfire safely, including guidelines on how to extinguish it correctly. Children especially should be monitored around a campfire. Toasting marshmallows is a lot of fun but it can come with risks.

Bushfires can be caused by a multitude of factors: harsh wind combined with warm weather, incorrect disposal of cigarette butts, arson, lightning, and power line issues are just some of the possibilities. However, campfires also pose a significant danger. In 2020, four people were charged after their campfire raged out of control and burnt through half of Queensland’s Fraser Island. The World Heritage-listed island caught fire, threatening nearby homes, after the campers extinguished the fire with sand only, no water. The penalties facing each individual were as high as $22,000, not to mention the threat to human health, wildlife and the environment. At the time charges were laid, Maryborough Detective Senior Sergeant David Harbison said the group had lit a fire in a prohibited zone. Fraser Island allows fires only in communal fire rings provided by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

In Victoria in 1998, an abandoned campfire was the suspected cause of a bushfire that razed through 32,000 hectares in the Alpine National Forest and the Carey River State Forest. Over the 2021 Christmas period, the CFA estimated that campfires had caused at least 270 bushfires on Victorian public land. Australia has a long and devastating history of bushfires, so it is up to every individual to ensure that they adhere to fire restrictions and campfire safety guidelines.

Before lighting a campfire, establish whether there are any regional fire restrictions in place. Also, check with the relevant authority (tourist park or council) that campfires are permitted.

When teaching your children to build a campfire, instil the basics early. For example, they should choose a spot well away from trees, bushes and tents. A designated fire pit is the best option. If there are no pits, a dug-in fire is the best option. Start by building a small fire, using kindling and smaller bits of wood. There is no need to build a raging, large fire from the outset. Wood can be added gradually to ensure the fire builder is in control of fire growth.

Never use accelerant to start a campfire. The good old-fashioned structure of kindling graduating to larger pieces of wood is more than adequate. Accelerants make it difficult to control a fire and can lead it to spread and rage beyond its intended perimeter.

Having a bucket of water handy is also a good idea, particularly when children are nearby. An adult should always extinguish a fire, but it’s important that children can see adults role model this behaviour and be able to replicate it in an emergency.

Once you’ve lit a campfire using a pit or appropriate, contained area, it is your responsibility to ensure the fire is put out after use. Never leave a fire to burn out overnight, even if the conditions seem mild enough. The CFA advises that campfires should be extinguished using water, not sand or dirt. Water cools the fire faster and minimises the danger of others burning their feet in the area the next day.

Just as children can be involved in starting the fire, they should be involved in extinguishing it. This is a great opportunity to explain to children that it is an important responsibility to put a fire out. Satisfy their curiosity and point out the dangers in letting it burn. Again, it is vital to use age-appropriate words. Young children can simply be told that a fire can spread and hurt people and the environment so it must be put out.

If you have smokers in your camping crew, ensure that they are aware of the appropriate way to extinguish and dispose of a cigarette. Sadly, major fires have started from people throwing away their lit cigarette butts in an irresponsible manner. Ashtrays with a small amount of water in the bottom are an excellent choice in summer months.

Total fire bans

Total fire bans are imposed when the weather conditions are likely to make fires ignite easily and be difficult to control. The rules for total fire bans are often misunderstood, with growing confusion over the use of portable gas barbecues when camping. 

The CFA advises that gas barbecues can be used in the following conditions:

• The barbecue is gas or electric and is a permanently fixed structure built of stone, metal, concrete or another non-flammable material designed exclusively for meal preparation
• The barbecue is placed in a stable position when alight
• A hose is connected to a water supply nearby, or there is a container with at least 10-litres of water ready for immediate use
• An adult is present at all times
• The barbecue is completely extinguished by the adult before the location is left.

Bushfire planning

Every home should have a fire plan. This is also an essential part of camping safety. Rural camping puts you at a greater risk of fire, so it is important to plan ahead. When you arrive at your campsite, take in your surroundings and establish a fire safety plan. Children should be well aware of the plan. If they are very young, the plan can be as simple as “run away from the flames or smoke and find a grown up”. Older children can be encouraged to call 000 and flee to a designated safe area. Children should never be taught to enter a fire danger zone for another person or for possessions. Rather, they should be encouraged to report potential dangers of a person in a fire zone to an adult.

The CFA advises leaving early if fire is a risk. This means leaving even before a fire has started – don’t wait for smoke or flames. Strong wind combined with hot weather creates a significant fire hazard. State-based apps are updated regularly to advise people in the region of potential danger.

Tips for children

• Teach your kids to dial 000 and ensure they know how to convey their message (location, what they see and who is around).
• Kids should be supervised around fires. It’s great to teach them to build a fire, but there should always be an adult present.
• Remind your children that those who build a campfire have the serious responsibility of extinguishing it and ensuring the safety of others.
• Ensure your children are aware of how to extinguish a campfire, using water, not soil. It’s beneficial to explain the reasons behind this. Children should never attempt to extinguish a large, growing fire on their own.
• Teach your child about the best steps to take if they come across fire (flee, tell an adult and call 000).
• Safety first. Remind children to never re-enter a fire area for any reason.
• In dangerous situations, many children react by trying to hide. Explain to your child that hiding is dangerous and they must leave the area immediately.
• Tailor your messages to the age of the child, beginning with the basics (such as fire is hot and it burns and hurts people) for younger children.
• The CFA has excellent resources available for parents and teachers: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/schools/primary-schools/fact-sheets 

Bushfire apps

Wherever you’re travelling is this beautiful country, ensure you have downloaded the state’s emergency app.

New South Wales and ACT: Fires Near Me

Victoria: VicEmergency

Tasmania: TAS Fires

South Australia: Alert SA

Western Australia: WA Fires

Northern Territory: Bushfires NT and Northern Australia Fire Information

Queensland: Queensland Fires

First aid

If you or a family member experience any burns, first aid is vital.

Call emergency services or medical attention for assistance if required. Generally, if a burn is larger than a 20-cent piece, it is recommended that treatment be sought. Major burns can cause immediate dehydration and extreme pain. Call 000 immediately for moderate or severe burns cases:

• Remove clothing and jewellery
• Run under cool water for at least 20 minutes
• Cover the area with clean plastic or cloth (not cling wrap)