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Campfire and fire pit safety

Camping and outdoor entertaining is a way of life in Oregon. That includes roasting hotdogs and making s'mores over an open fire ...

Here are some precautions to take:

  • Always have a responsible adult on hand and never leave a fire unattended, even for a few minutes.
  • When camping, use only officially designated fire pits.
  • When building your own fire pit, choose a flat area, avoiding steep slopes and brushy or heavily wooded areas. Don't select an area under a tree.
  • Create a 10-foot circle of bare soil. Be sure to remove pine needles, leaves and twigs that could ignite. Dig a shallow hole about 18 inches in diameter and line the circle with large rocks.
  • Have a shovel and hose or bucket of water handy.
  • Never build a fire on private property without the owner's consent.
  • If you live within a quarter of a mile of state-controlled timberland, check with the Oregon Department of Forestry office in Forest Grove for local restrictions, which can change from day to day.

Forest Grove District Office
Oregon Department of Forestry
801 Gales Creek Road
Forest Grove, OR 97116-1118
PH: 503-359-7450