Prevention
The National Forest has wildfires each year. Many of these are caused by human activity, typically escaped campfires from dispersed campers. Campfires are allowed when you are dispersed camping unless there are fire restrictions in effect due to high fire danger conditions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before you go camping. You can learn about any fire restrictions by contacting the nearest Forest Service office.
Smokey Bear
Campfire Safety
Forest Alerts, Fire Restrictions, and Orders
Find up-to-date information on Dixie National Forest alerts, fire restrictions and orders on the Alerts webpage.
- Minimize the scarring of new rocks, soil, and plants by using existing fire rings when possible.
- If no fire ring exists, select a site that is not in a meadow or clearing, that is not next to a tree with low overhanging branches, and is at least 200 feet from any water source to protect fragile vegetation.
- If you don't bring your own firewood collect only dead wood that is on the ground. You should not cut branches off of live trees. If a popular camping area does not have dead wood on the ground, please bring your own firewood. The animals, insects, and micro-organisms in the soil need rotting wood on the ground to survive.
- Before you leave your campfire make sure is it completely out. You should be able to put your whole hand into the ashes without being burned; it should be cool to the touch. Stir the ashes to make sure all embers have cooled. This is very important! Many forest fires are caused by abandoned campfires that were not completely out.