At this time of year, there’s nothing better than lighting the fire pit in the backyard and relaxing at the end of the day. Fire pits provide a wonderful place for you to relax and enjoy your outdoor space, especially at night. However, being fire pits, they also pose a hazard to your home and the homes around you.

As wildfires are once again a threat to your area, you’ll want to know the best way to use your fire pit safely. Use these fire pit safety tips to ensure your fire won’t spread and cause damage during the dry season.

The Dangers of Wildfires

Wildfires are incredibly dangerous. They can cause huge amounts of damage, and of course are easily started. Just one dropped cigarette butt can kick start a wildfire, so you need to be cautious with fire at this time. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use your fire pit, you just need to be careful. One spark from the fire pit can and will cause a fire, so use these 9 tips to keep you and your community safe.

1. Pick Your Location Carefully

Firstly, think about where you’re going to place your fire pit. It needs to be in just the right location, so you won’t be too close to flammable items should a fire occur. Ensure you aren’t placing your fire pit under low hanging branches, or under the leaves of your house. Errant sparks will easily blow away and get into trees and other flammable areas, causing fires.

It’s also smart to keep the fire pit away from your home, if possible. The further away it is from any buildings, the less chance there is of fire reaching your home.

2. Have Extinguishing Materials Nearby

If you light the fire pit, you need to be prepared to put it out in a hurry. Even if you’re very careful, things can go wrong and you want to be prepared.

Before you light the fire, have a fire extinguisher, garden hose, or 5 gallon bucket of water nearby. If you’re using a fire extinguisher, be sure it’s full, and that you know how to use it safely.

3. Remove Flammable Material

If you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, then you’ll already know that you need to remove any flammable items from your property. This is especially true if you use a fire pit. If sparks get out and land on any flammable items, it will go up in no time.

You’ll need to create an ‘immediate zone’ around the house of around 5 feet, which should be clear of all plants, clippings, needles, and so on. Remove any flammable items, such as stacks of firewood, away from the house itself. Take out anything flammable that’s stored under the porch, and clean out your gutters to remove any debris that could catch fire.

4. Check the Wind

Before you light your fire pit, ensure that you’re checking the wind. If the wind is too strong, you’ll want to skip lighting it, as that wind will be able to carry fire further if there’s an accident.

If you have a portable fire pit, consider placing it in an area with a natural windbreak before you light it.

5. Never Leave a Fire Unattended

When you have the fire pit lit, you must never leave it unattended. Even if you need to dash back into the house for a bathroom break or to grab another drink. You should ensure that someone else is there to keep an eye on the fire as you do so. That’s why it’s a good idea never to use a fire pit on your own.

If the fire has died down and you’re ready to call it a night, make sure you put the fire out. Pour water over the embers, and turn logs to ensure all sides have stopped burning before you turn in for the night.

6. Drink Responsibly

There’s nothing some people like more than sitting around the fire pit with a drink in their hand. It’s a great experience, but alcohol and fire don’t mix.

The first issue is that alcohol is flammable, and will help spread fire if it’s spilled. Secondly, it impairs judgement. This can lead to serious damage if the fire gets out of control. If you’re going to drink, do so in moderation. It’s a very good idea to have someone who’s abstaining, in order to be in charge of the fire as the night goes on.

7. Keep Your Fire to a Designated Space

Having a fire pit doesn’t mean simply building a bonfire in your backyard and lighting it. You need the correct structure in order to be able to use your fire pit.

You’ll need either a portable fire pit as described above, an outdoor fire ring, or a commercially designed chiminea. These are all designed to contain fire, and keep you safe as you use them.

8. Don’t Use the Fire Pit on No Burn Days

In your area, there may be orders in place to halt burning in certain conditions. You may be ordered not to burn a fire if the pollution index is high, or if there’s risk of wildfire in your area. Before you light your fire, ensure that you have checked the warnings to see that you’re clear to do so.

9. Install a Screen

With some commercially available fire pits, you’ll see that they come with a screen that’s designed to keep fires from escaping. If yours does not have one, you’ll need to have one installed. With a screen, you’ll still get the heat of the fire without worrying about embers flying away and catching something on fire nearby.

Fire Pit Safety Conclusion

With these fire pit safety tips, you can enjoy safely without worrying about the risk of wildfires. If you prepare correctly and use the fire pit sensibly, you won’t have to worry about a thing.