Fire Safety When Camping

Direct link to 2019 video from the Forest Service on YouTube

As we approach the end of summer, labor day and opportunities for camping out I thought that I'd post something about campfire safety drawing on my experience as a child and young adult. I no longer go camping for reasons I won't get into here. I saw a few videos on campfire safety but my favorite is the one I posted above, short and too the poing.

When I was a child in the 1960s, our family vacations were tent camping at campground in northern New England by the coast. It was a beautiful spot and my parents got a campsite where we could see the bay. Asides from the beauty of this area one of the things that stayed with me was campfire safety. The campsite had a designated location for campfires with a pit and rocks around the campfire site. I was not allowed to start the campfire but I learned about safety by watching my Dad. He never made a roaring campfire and when we left the campsite for a day trip he but the campfire out with water and touched the campfire pit to be sure that the fire was out. That made an impression on me and is similar to what I have seen in campfire safety videos such as the one that I shared here. I went camping at esatblished campgounds a few times several years ago as an adult with a friend; the lessons I learned about campfire safety that I learned from Dad stayed with me. I dumped water on the fire, I stired the embers and added more water when necessary including turning over logs, touching the campfire to be sure it was out. There may have been a couple of camping trips under near drought or drought conditions where the campground had restrictions on campfires, we followed those restrictions.

Here is a post from the National Park Service on campfire safety.

Please follow wildfire safety and adhere to any rules of the site you are visiting if you are planing to light a campfire.

Fire Shelter Deployment

Direct link to July 2013 video from The Bulletin on YouTube

I am in the process of reading another book on wildland firefighting, Fury and the Beast by Dave Scott, Mr. Scott chronicles his 27 year career as a wildland firefighter. He also provides photos and maps of wildfires. I am currently reading his account of the 1996 Shepard Mountain Fire in Montana where wildland firefighters had to deploy shelters as their only option to stay safe. Only one firefighter was injured with second degree burns, no firefighter died. About one hundred residents were evacuated. Thirty-five residences and forty out buildings were destroyed. I do not know the exact date of when this fire was brought under control, but I know from this September 8, 1996 Associated Press Article in the Spokane Review that the fire had burned 18,500 acres.

In their Six Minutes for Safety Section, The National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) has an article on deploying fire shelters, go here to read the NWCG article on deploying fire shelters. The NWCG says that "Firefighters must never rely on fire shelters. Instead, they depend on well-defined and pre-located escape routes and safety zones. However, if the need for shelter deployment should ever arise, it is imperative that firefighters know how to deploy and use the fire shelter." They go onto discuss several points regarding the deployment of fire shelters, I learned about fire shelter deployment from reading this article, they say in part:

• Do not think of your fire shelter as a tactical tool.
• Recognize when deployment is your only option. When considering escape, remember that you can hold your breath for only about 15 seconds while running through flames or superheated air.
• If time runs out while attempting to escape, get on the ground before the flame front arrives and finish deploying on the ground. Death is almost certain if the fire catches a person upright (the optimal survival zone with or without a shelter is within a foot of the ground). Once entrapped, the highest priority is to protect the lungs and airways.

Being Safe While Flying in or Near a Wildfire

The video that I share today on airspace over fires focuses on California. Living in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S.A. and having written the blog for over fifteen years,I am aware that wildfires in my area are often quite different than wildfires in CA and other areas of the western U.S.A. However, in my area, aircraft are used to aid the wildland firefighters on the ground fight wildfires. I am aware of the differences  I am sharing this video because as someone who lives in the Mid-Atlantic USA, I learned something about the airspace over wildfires that I think applies to my area. I am not a pilot, but in years past I have been on scenic rides that were near wildfires, so I am writing from the point of view of flying an airplane or helicopter. 

1. If you see smoke, stay several miles away. Wildfire officials are likely to already know about the wildfire, but if you are not sure, a pilot can report the smoke.

2. Not all wildfires will be under a temporary flight restriction (TFRs).  aThe video point out that it may take a few hours to get a TFR over a wildfire and some smaller fires will be contained in under a few hours.

3. If you are flying an aircraft, you probably know about TFRs on your route, including ones that may be there because of a wildfire. Not only should you stay out of the TFR, don’t fly on the edges of the TFR, stay several miles away.

4. Don’t fly drones in or near wildfires. A drone striking an aircraft of any size can cripple or in the worst case bring down an airplane.

The video is about eleven minutes long and is worth watching. This video did pop up as I was looking on YouTube for videos focusing on aerial resources to help wildland firefighters on the ground. But I learned about this video in mid-August of 2025 when the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page shared the video in their daily videos section of their webpage

Direct link to August 2025 video from Airborne Firefighters on YouTube

Staying Safe from House Fires During the Holidays

Direct link to December 2024 video from WRDW News 12 on YouTube.

However or if you celebrate the end of year holidays, my wish is that you be safe from house fires. As the above video discusses, there is increased danger of fires at this time of year from holiday decorations, candles, trees, overloaded electric outlets, etc. 

About NJ Wildfire SMART

Direct link to March 2025 video from the NJ Dept of Environmental Protection 

I want to thank my friends from the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page for sharing this video on their webpage over the last few days. My friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page share wildfire videos every day as well as photos of wildfires in and around NJ. They are a good resources and I visit their website a few times a week.

I had seen NJ Wildfire SMART on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service website  where they have a page devoted to NJ Wildfire SMART. Briefly NJ Wildfire SMART stands for safety, mitigation, awareness, response, and training. If you go to this page you can learn more details about each. I liked the video that I shared above for providing a brief overview of NJ Wildfire SMART. As an aside, as some of you know, I love the NJ Pinelands and have driven on  some of the sand roads in the Pinelands including the Bass River State Forest mentioned in this video. I appreciate the efforts that goes into maintaining these roads and more importantly to efforts in the Pinelands to mitigate wildland fires.

Home Fire Safety: Preventing Home ignition in the Wildland-Urban Interface

Prevent Home Ignition, Part 1; Video from the National Fire Protection Video on YouTube

Prevent Home Ignition, Part 2; Video from the National Fire Protection Video on YouTube

Continuing with residential fire safety, I shared two videos from the National Fire Protection Association, they have a nice YouTube channel with lots of videos including many videos addressing fire safety in the houses iin the wildland-urban interface. However, I think that some of the things that they address in this video might be of interested to folk like me who do not live in the wildland-urban interface..

Home Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

 I have been thinking about fire safety at my house recently. Like many of us, I have several devices that use lithium-ion batteries and I do understand that these batteries can pose a fire risk. While I do try to be safe at home, I appreciate that the Ocean County Fire Marshall shared about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and how to be safe. I thought I'd share three slides with you from their October 10th Facebook post.

Of the items listed in this slide I admit that I did not think about my cordless vacuum cleaner and a couple of power tools in my garage. I admit to needing to be more careful to not leave my cordless vacuum plugged in.

Regarding the next two slides, I learned something about how lithium-ion batteries work and about thermal runaway.

No Unauthorized Drones in Wildfire Zones

 

Direct link to post from the US Forest Service on Facebook

Every so often I am reminded about the danger poised by unauthorized drones (aka unmanned aircraft systems) flying near or in wildfire zones. Such was the case when I saw an April 25th post on Facebook from the NJ Forest Fire Service that I embedded below. Tankers and Helicopters fly at an altitude where many drones are flown and often the only way a pilot knows that a drone is nearby is to see the drone. This is hard to do at the low altitude they fly at, often in smokey or hazy conditions. Accidents were a drone strikes an airplane can happen poising a risk to the pilot and possibly to ground crews. In addition, I understand that the FAA may seek action against a drone pilot flying their drone in or near a wildfire zone. So, please, to not fly your drones in or near a fire zone. 

I want to point out that many firefighting agencies may have access to a drone that they can legally fly in or near a wildfire zone. I am not talking about these drones, which I consider authorized drones. I am referring to unauthorized drones. 

Direct link to April 25th 8:01 AM post on Facebook by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service

New Jersey Wildfire SMART

 

Direct link to video from NJ Spotlight News on YouTube

Some of you know that I did my best to post about the 2024 fall wildfire season in New Jersey, the worst wildfire season in about 100 years. On February 13th New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced an initiative called New Jersey Wildfire SMART aimed at various actions that can be taken to reduce the risks posed by wildfires. In a February 13th press release announcing the New Jersey Wildfire SMART initiative, they say in part:

“New Jersey experienced significant dryness this past fall, resulting in an extended wildfire season throughout the state in 2024 and providing a sobering reminder that we must be prepared for the spring wildfire season,” said Governor Murphy. “It is more important than ever that we share information and continue to work collaboratively to protect lives, properties, and communities.” 

 

“Preparedness is essential, especially as climate change continues to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of wildfires in New Jersey,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “We need to be even more vigilant going into the spring wildfire season and follow the actions of NJ Wildfire SMART, which will help mitigate wildfire risk statewide.”

 

“The Forest Fire Service works year-round protecting New Jersey communities from the threat of wildfires,” said Greg McLaughlin, Administrator for Forests & Natural Lands. “In addition to protecting lives and property, the Forest Fire Service assists with natural disasters, maintains hundreds of miles of roads, works alongside multiple cooperators to develop and implement strategic plans that reduce the risk of future wildfires, and lends their talents to other states when wildfires strike.”



“Meeting with municipal partners ahead of New Jersey’s spring fire season is essential to strengthening communication, coordination and preparedness when addressing wildfire risk and responding to developing incidents,” said Bill Donnelly, Chief of the DEP Forest Fire Service. “We share the common goal of ensuring New Jersey’s communities and forest resources are protected from wildfires, and today’s roundtable allows us to proactively address any concerns.”

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a new webpage devoted to New Jersey Wildfire SMART where they discuss safety, mitigation, awareness, and training along with NJFFS videos on prescribed fire, fire towers, and the use of Single Engine Airtankers to help the firefighters on the ground fight wildfires.

Preparing for Next Year's Wildfire Season in New Jersey

Direct link to video from NBC10 Philadelphia on YouTube

Here in New Jersey we had a record number of wildfires during the dry spell in October into mid-November. The ground was so dry that tree stumps continued to burn after the wildfire was contained, something that happens a lot out west but is rare in New Jersey and environs. As you can see from the video that I embedded above the lower portion of the trees are burned, if the roots survived than the tree will (hopefully) survive. New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews participate in training to prepare for the wildfire season. There are things that homeowners in New Jersey living near forested areas can do to protect their homes such as being sure the gutters are cleaned out and that to clear leaf litter, debris and flammable vegetation from around the house.

Managing Long Island Pine Barrens for Fire Protection & Trail Access

 The video that I am going to share with you today that I saw on this mornings video page from B10 NJ Wildland Fire on managing the Otis Pike Pine Forest in the Long Island Pine Barrens on the east end of Long Island caught my eye because of the importance of management of the Pine Barrens for wildland fire safety and prescribed burn operations as well as other needs for access. In addition, while I am not exactly familiar with the east end of Long Island, I did spend some time with friends and family in my youth and young adulthood in central Long Island, so I have a soft spot for Long Island. I have no direct knowledge of they types of management that is done in the NJ Pine Barrens but I suspect that managers do something similar. This is a short video, under two minutes from the NYSDEC.

Direct link to video from the NYSDEC on YouTube

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Highlights of Tri-State Wildfires & Protecting Your Home

Thanks to my friends at the B10 New Jersey Wildfire Page for sharing this video from News 12 on "Tri-State Wildfires, Are you at risk and what can be done." I am not quite sure when this report aired, probably before our recent rains that fell on November 21st and 22nd? You will see some footage of recent wildfires in New Jersey, and adjoining areas off New York as well as Connecticut along with some tips on fire safety in your house or apartment. Even though we had two days of rains that have helped the surface fires within containment lines, we are still in a drought and once things dry out the wildfire danger will escalate. Allow a little over 20 minutes to watch the video

Direct link to video from News 12 on YouTube

Preparing your home for Wildfires

I downloaded the following Firewise USA file on preparing your home for wildfires from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's prevention publications page. Their page for landscaping plants that are fire resistant and can grow in New Jersey may be found here, it is a good source of information.

Drone Safety Wiildfires

When drones, aka unmanned aircraft systems fly over fires aerial wildland firefighters can not fly. Please don't fly your drones over or near wildfire zones.

 

Smokey Bear Turned 80

Direct link to video from Smokey Bear on YouTube

Happy 80th birthday Smokey Bear! Smokey turned 80 on August 9, 2024.

I have a memory from my childhood, probably when I was under the age of 12, of seeing Smokey Bear on TV, perhaps a commercial or perhaps a cartoon? Anyway, I think the message of "only you can prevent forest fires" hit home because our family vacations when I was a child were camping along the northern New England coast in a campground in a forest. Between watching my Dad safely build a camp fire in a ring on our campsite and remembering Smokey Bear I knew that I had a role in preventing forest fires. I recall my Dad putting out the camp fire with water, stirring the ashes, dosing the fire with water and then doing it again until the ashes were cool and there was no smoke. This was during the time before the internet, now we can go to the SmokeyBear website to learn about fire safety, they have a page on camp fire safety, most of which I recall my Dad teaching me.  They also have pages on backyard debris burning as well as how to properly maintain and use equipment (including chains on vehicles) as both can lead to forest fires if not done safely. There is other good information on this sight, worth checking out, bookmarking and discussing with your family and friends. In addition, NPR has a nice report dated August 9 on the history of Smokey Bear, it is a nice read.

In keeping with the times, over twenty years the slogan was changed to "only you can prevent wildfires."

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month

Direct link to video from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) on YouTube 

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. I have run across the above video previously and may have already shared it. If so, the video has some good information and is easy to understand and is good to see again. 

The following post on Facebook from NIFC contains a link to some good information on wildfire awareness. I followed one of their links to find the video that I shared above. Please be safe during your wildfire season and take the appropriate precautions around your house to be as safe from wildfires as you can.

Holiday Season Fire Safety

As we continue through the end-of-year holidays I have been thinking about the increase in house fires during the holiday seasons. At the very least, keeping our houses fire safe protects our house and the immediate environs but perhaps an electrical fire caused by malfunctioning outdoor lighting may lead to brush fire in the wildland-urban interface in warmer climates or snowless cooler climates. I found the video that I am embedding below on the holiday fire safety page from the U.S. Fire Administration, the graphics that I share come from the same page. I admit that in years past I may have violated one of the holiday fire safety rules and was lucky that nothing happened. Please be fire safe during this holiday and have a happy a safe holiday season.

Direct link to video from the National Institute of Standards on YouTube

Fire Safety: Proper Storage of Cold Ashes

 I do have a fireplace in my house which I have not used in years partly for various reasons. But when I did use the fireplace, I admit to improper storage of the ashes from my fireplace. I used to store them in my garage in a large metal bucket without a lid. I was lucky. I have been thinking about fire safety of late and what I can do as a homeowner so when I saw a post on Facebook from District A1 about the safe storage of cold ashes from you fireplace, woodburning stove or grill I knew what I wanted to post today.

Firefighting Helicopter near miss with a drone in Texas

Direct link to video from KBTX News on YouTube

This story from KBTX News illustrates the dangers in flying drones in fire zones. Last Friday a helicopter was flying a small fire in Caldwell County Texas when a drone came within several feet of colliding with the helicopter. The helicopter pilot had no way of knowing that the drone was near by. Please, no drones in fire zones. Thanks to Mike Archer from Wildfire News of the Day for pointing me to this article in his August 23 Wildfire News of the Day e-mail (go here for more information and to subscribe). 

Updated on August 25th: I only just saw a very good article by Kelly Anderson of Fire Aviation written on August 23rd titled 'PLEASE ground your drone, PLEASE'. He writes about the near miss of a drone and helicopter in Caldwell County Texas and about the importance of grounding drones over a wildfire.

Flying a drone in a wildfire zone means firefighting aircraft are grounded

It has been awhile since I have written about the dangers of drones over wildfire zones. So, I am here to remind everyone that if you have a drone, please do not fly it over a wildfires of any size. If you fly your drone, all firefighting aircraft are grounded and it may be illegal. to do so. I want to thank my friend at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 for the inspiration to write about the danger of drones over wildfire zones. 

From the New Jersey Forest Fire Service

From the Forest Service - Interagency Fire Center

Direct link to video from the Forest Service - Interagency Fire Center on YouTube

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Fire Weather Forecast (May 15th)

The recent Cannonball2 Wildfire that burned 107 acres in Pompton Lakes (Bergen County) NJ this past weekend coupled with recent dry weather served to remind me that wildfires of any size, including larger wildfires, can happen at any time of year. Yes, for regular readers of this blog this is obvious. I admit that I do not check the fire weather planning forecast from my local weather service -- NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly -- on a daily basis, I do try to monitor my local fire weather forecast during dry spells but admit that I am sometimes prompted to do so by my friends from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 and others from New Jersey on social media. For those of you who live in the region covered by the NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly, their fire weather forecast is updated twice a day and may be found here. Those of you who live elsewhere in the United States may find your local NWS Weather Forecast Office by going to the NWS Weather Forecast Offices (link current as of May 15, 2023).

My concern for this week is that there may be fire danger in New Jersey and adjoining areas later this week. So, I will be paying attention to the fire weather forecasts issued by the NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly and will follow-up as warranted. Please be safe and fire aware, the Smokey the Bear and Firewise webpages have tips on how you can prevent wildfires at your home. Check your local Forest Fire Service as well as your town and/or county for local regulations. For those of you in New Jersey, the NJ Forest Fire Service has a fire danger dashboard.

FNUS51 KPHI 151406
FWFPHI

Fire Weather Planning Forecast
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1005 AM EDT Mon May 15 2023

.DISCUSSION...

Relative humidity values are forecast to drop into the 25 to 30 percent range on Tuesday afternoon across the Poconos and far  northern New Jersey. A southwest to west wind 10 to 15 MPH with gusts around 20 MPH may result in a heightened fire weather concern at that time.

Wednesday appears to be our driest and breeziest day of the week. Minimum relative humidity values in the 20 to 30 percent range are expected for much of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and northern Delaware. A northwest wind 10 to 20 MPH with gusts of 25 to 30 MPH is anticipated.

Thursday is again forecast to bring dry condition in the afternoon. However, wind speeds should be only in the 5 to 10 MPH range from the northeast, becoming southeast to south.

Due to the expected conditions, we are planning to coordinate with our state fire weather partners this morning to check on fuel moisture levels and the potential need for any special fire weather products this week.