I think a campfire can be one of the best parts of camping, but it also carries real responsibility. Escaped campfires are a documented contributor to accidental bushfire ignitions, which historically account for roughly half of bushfires with a known cause in New South Wales and Victoria, alongside cigarettes and escaped burn-offs. Knowing when and how to light a fire safely is an essential outdoor skill.
Not all parks or campgrounds allow campfires. Rules vary by location, season, and fire danger rating, so I always check campground signage or speak with a park ranger before lighting one. If fires aren’t clearly permitted, I don’t light one.
Before you even consider a campfire, it’s critical to understand broader bushfire awareness and safety for hikers, particularly during warmer months and periods of elevated fire risk.
When not to light a fire
- Campfires are not explicitly permitted at the campground or location
- A Total Fire Ban is in place today or forecast for the following day
- Strong winds, hot temperatures, or dry conditions increase fire risk
- You cannot supervise the fire at all times
- You do not have sufficient water to fully extinguish the fire
- You are camping outside a designated fire pit or fireplace
- Local advice from rangers or authorities recommends against fires
If any of these apply, I don’t light a fire. Cooking without a flame, using warm clothing, or relying on appropriate shelter is always safer than risking an escaped campfire.
Rules on campfires depend on the type of park
National and state parks: Campfires are only permitted in designated, purpose-built fireplaces where signage explicitly allows them.
Other park types (for example regional parks): Campfires may be permitted, but conditions and restrictions still apply. I always check local regulations before assuming otherwise.
Use the following safety checklist before lighting any campfire:
- Are campfires permitted at this campground? If signage is unclear, assume fires are not allowed.
- What type of park are you in? National and state parks usually restrict fires to fixed fireplaces only.
- Is today, or the following day, a Total Fire Ban? Fires must not be lit or left burning under any Total Fire Ban conditions.
- Who will supervise the fire? A responsible adult must stay within 50 metres and maintain constant visual contact.
- Do you have enough water to extinguish the fire? At least 10 litres is recommended.
- Will you use water to extinguish the fire? Soil alone can insulate embers and allow reignition.
- Have you confirmed the fire is completely cold before leaving? Ashes must be cool to the touch.
Lighting a campfire where it isn’t permitted, on a Total Fire Ban day, or leaving one to burn unattended is an offence and can have serious consequences.
If fires are permitted, how do you start one?
Knowing how to light a campfire properly matters. Poor technique leads to frustration, wasted fuel, or an unsafe fire, and in an emergency it can be the difference between warmth and exposure.
Fire pit setup
I choose a site at least 3 metres from tents and gear, check carefully for overhanging branches, and clear away flammable material. Dig a pit or trench at least 30cm deep and, where permitted, surround it with rocks.
Collect three types of dry fuel:
- Tinder: Fine, easily ignited material such as dry grass, bark, or fibrous plant matter
- Kindling: Small sticks roughly the thickness of a coin
- Fuel wood: Larger pieces that burn slowly and provide sustained heat
Teepee fire build
The teepee method is a reliable and widely used fire structure:
- Place a small bundle of tinder in the centre
- Build kindling around it in a teepee shape
- Leave space between sticks for airflow
- Add fuel wood around the outside once the fire is established
- Light the tinder from the upwind side
Lighting your fire
Matches or lighter
If conditions are dry and calm, I reach for a lighter or matches first, the simplest and safest option.
Swedish Firesteel
Swedish Firesteel produces high-temperature sparks and works reliably in wet, cold, or windy conditions. I scrape small shavings into my tinder first, which improves ignition success.
Survival fire using friction
Friction fires using two sticks require practice and close-to-ideal materials. I’d treat this as a last resort, and only practise it in safe, permitted conditions.
Campfire safety and extinguishing
I never leave a campfire unattended. Before sleeping or leaving camp, it has to be completely extinguished.
- Water: The most effective method. Pour slowly, stir embers, and repeat until cold.
- Sand or dirt: Use sparingly if water is limited. Excess material can insulate embers and allow fires to restart.
I spread the coals, stir thoroughly, and check for hidden heat. Large logs get rotated and doused repeatedly. The fire pit needs to be cold to the touch before I leave, so I start extinguishing well before I’m ready to go, because hot coals can retain heat for hours, even in wet weather. I always check the surrounding ground for stray embers too. Even a small spark can start a bushfire under the right conditions.
What’s your go-to method for safely lighting a campfire while out in the bush? Any tips to share from your experiences?