Tis the Fire Season

10 days ago at Denver's National Get Outdoors Event, my son was perplexed by Smokey the Bear. Though he was very happy to pose with bulbous, fuzzy Smokey for this photo, he didn't know about Smokey's iconic role spreading the "be careful with fire" gospel. It could be a generational thing — I learned about Smokey in my elementary school. He, however, had never heard of Smokey the Bear even though he has had as comprehensive lecturing as a seven year old can get about the role of fire when you are camping or outdoors.

Though Smokey the Bear didn't say much, it was great to have the opportunity to use him as a launching pad to review the finer points with my son. As a reminder to us all as we sink into the outdoor pleasures of summer:

MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS
-Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
-Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
-Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
-Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

For more detail visit: http://lnt.org/programs/principles_5.php