quick term clarification

A

andrew7978

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Mar 19, 2007
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After reading another post a while back, I got to thinking about what an open fire actually means because may parks do not allow open fires during certain seasons.

When regulations say no open fires, do they mean:

1. You cannot have a fire unless its in a metalic fire ring provided by the park
2. You cannot have a fire in the woods unless you build a rock fire pit to sort of contain the fire.

Thanks for the clarification.
 
they mean neither 1. nor 2. - no fires in metallic rings, self-made rock fire pits, or anywhere else. the concern is that an ember from the fire will float up into the air and land on some of the dry surroundings and start a fire.

gas-fueled stoves are your best option when open fires aren't allowed. and if you want the night-time ambience of an open fire, a few candles will do the trick.
 
There is no simple answer as it depends on the park. You should check with a Ranger to get clarification.

akennedy73 said:
they mean neither 1. nor 2. - no fires in metallic rings, self-made rock fire pits, or anywhere else. the concern is that an ember from the fire will float up into the air and land on some of the dry surroundings and start a fire.
Click to expand...

That isn't always the case. Open fire bans are common where I live in the summer yet if you stay in a campground at a park/Nat'l Forest then you are allowed to have a fire going in the provided fire ring. There have been times when any open fire was banned but that's only in extreme cases.
 
best bet is to contact the ranger...he or she will give you the interpretation that you will be penalized by if you violate it.
 
akennedy73 said:
they mean neither 1. nor 2. - no fires in metallic rings, self-made rock fire pits, or anywhere else. the concern is that an ember from the fire will float up into the air and land on some of the dry surroundings and start a fire.

gas-fueled stoves are your best option when open fires aren't allowed. and if you want the night-time ambience of an open fire, a few candles will do the trick.
Click to expand...


I have always thought this but I intend to play dumb and ask from now on.
 
I just did a google for "open fire is defined as" and came up with this from a page for Boulder County, Colorado
"An open fire is defined as a fire where flames are visible and it is exposed to the surrounding terrain and/or other readily combustible materials."

from a page for Black Hills National Forest: An "open fire" is defined as any fire to burn slash, brush, grass, stubble, debris, rubbish, or other inflammable material not enclosed in a stove, sparkproof incinerator, or an established fireplace approved or constructed by public agencies in designated recreation areas.

Hope this helps.
 
Joel Stave said:
from a page for Black Hills National Forest: An "open fire" is defined as any fire to burn slash, brush, grass, stubble, debris, rubbish, or other inflammable material not enclosed in a stove, sparkproof incinerator, or an established fireplace approved or constructed by public agencies in designated recreation areas.
Click to expand...

In the SD portion of BHNF open fires are only allowed in a campground or picnic area although you can apply for a permit for a fire in the backcountry. You might be able to get a permit in the winter but you can forget about it in the summer. SD Fire Regulations If you go across the border into the WY portion of the BHNF open fires are OK unless there's a specific ban.

That's a prime example of an open fire restriction not being a clear cut definition.
 
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