Range and Detection of Fire Smoke?

[razcob]

I made a small fire today with 1 inch diameter dead branches, the fire was approximately 12 inch diameter by 6 inches tall and was located within a forested area. I know this question may depend on terrain, tree growth, wind and other factors, but is there an approximate range that a typical campfire can be detected by people. Although, I was in a wilderness area, I didn't want to attract any attention. Any thoughts?

 

[KuRUpTD]

There is really no way to avoid smoke from a fire but it can be reduced.
Make sure to keep the fire very small and only use bone dry material, not the green stuff.
The trees around you and wind conditions also help to dissipate the rising smoke.

 

[Bushman5]

I've noticed that the temp and moisture levels all play a factor in how long and how visible smoke can linger.

here on the Wet Coast of BC where it is damp most of the time, there will be smoke (even from a tiny HOT fire made with thin bone dry wood) drifting and lingering for quite some time. The smoke is very visible and you can smell it from a mile off.

Whereas I made a fire up in the arid regions of BC (Lilloet) in the high dry heat of summer, and there was NO smoke and very minimal smoke odors....

 

[razcob]

There was a light breeze that seemed to carry my fires smoke along the ground, which continuing through the trees. I was wondering with the dispersion of the smoke, would the odor continue to carry?