Prevention
The Sawtooth National Forest has approximately 45 fires each year. Typically, 50% are human caused and 50% lightning caused.
Human-caused fires are preventable. The number of human-caused wildfires on the Sawtooth National Forest has been steadily increasing in recent years, and we would appreciate your help to change that trend. Here are steps you can take during your visit to help us protect the forest and prevent unwanted wildfires.
- Assure your campfire is not under trees or in areas with flammable vegetation nearby.
- Make sure children and pets are supervised when near the fire.
- Keep your fire to a manageable size.
- Never leave your campfire unattended.
- Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
- Keep a shovel, a bucket and water on hand.
- Pour lots of water on the fire, drown ALL embers, not just the red ones. Pour until hissing sound stops.
- Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel.
- Use dirt if you do not have water, and continue adding and stirring until all material is cool.
- Do not just bury the fire with dirt as it will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.
- Remember that, if it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.
- Never burn aerosol cans or pressurized containers because they may explode.
- Never put glass in the fire pit. Glass does not melt away. It only heats up and shatters. Broken slivers of glass are dangerous.
- Aluminum cans do not burn. In fact, the aluminum only breaks down into smaller pieces. Inhaling aluminum dust can be harmful to your lungs.
- Secure chains. Practice safe towing. Dragging chains throw sparks.
- Check and maintain proper tire pressure.
- Carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and learn how to use it.
- Don't park or drive your vehicle onto dry grass or brush.
- Properly maintain brakes. Brakes worn too thin may cause metal to metal contact, which can cause a spark.
