Fire Safety in the Wild: What Every Bushcrafter Needs to Know During Dry Weather

With dry weather sweeping across the UK, the risk of wildfires is higher than ever. For bushcrafters, hikers, and anyone practising outdoor skills, it’s essential to understand fire behaviour in these conditions and act responsibly. Lighting a fire on dry ground surrounded by crisp leaves, pine needles, or dead grass can quickly become dangerous. Just one ember is enough to start a wildfire.

Understanding the Risks

Wildfires can spread quickly when conditions are dry, especially in areas like heathland, open woodland, and peat-based soils. Heat, low humidity, and wind create a perfect storm for fire to take hold. Even a small campfire, spark from a ferro rod, or discarded cigarette can lead to disaster. Understanding the risk is the first step in responsible fire management.

The implications of an out of control wildfire can be devastating

Always Check Local Warnings

Before lighting any fire, check for restrictions in the area. Local councils and forestry authorities often issue fire bans or warnings during hot spells. In places like Epping Forest or the New Forest, open fires may be completely prohibited when the risk is high. Always check signage, online updates, or speak with landowners if you are unsure. Never assume fire is allowed just because you are in a rural area.

Choosing a Safe Fire Site

If fires are permitted and you are in a safe environment, choose your fire site carefully. Clear a wide area around your fire of any flammable debris. Remove dry grass, pine needles, bark, and leaf litter. Ideally, dig down to mineral soil or use a raised fire pit. Avoid setting fires under low branches or on peat-rich soils, which can smoulder and reignite hours later. Never build fires next to tree roots.

Keep Fires Small and Controlled

A small, well-fed fire will provide all the heat and cooking power you need. Larger fires not only waste fuel but are harder to control. Never leave a fire unattended. Always keep water nearby or have a spade ready to smother flames with soil. Beat down sparks or creeping flame with a green branch or flat object. Fire should always be monitored and managed like a living tool, not a spectacle.

Extinguish Completely Every Time

Once fully extinguished you should cover up the scorch marks also to “leave no trace”

When finished, douse your fire with water until the hissing stops. Stir the embers with a stick and pour more water. Check with the back of your hand for any remaining heat. If water is not available, smother the fire completely with damp earth. Do not use dry ash or loose soil as this can conceal smouldering coals. If you cannot safely extinguish the fire, you should not have lit it.

Alternative Methods for Cooking and Warmth

In high-risk fire conditions, it may be safer to avoid open flame altogether.

Alcohol stoves, flameless heaters, or no-cook meals are safer alternatives. If practising bushcraft skills, focus on fire prep, shelter building, or toolmaking rather than ignition. You can still develop your skills without striking a flame.

Final Thought

Bushcraft is about respect as much as survival. Being able to start a fire is only half the skill — knowing when not to is equally important. In dry weather, caution and control are essential. Act with awareness, and leave no trace behind. The land will thank you for it.

Even when you’re outdoors, fire safety matters greatly. Authorities like the London Fire Brigade offer clear advice for preventing grass fires and safe fire use during hot spells  - https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/news/safety-wildfires-during-hot-and-dry-weather

For broader outdoor safety, the official GOV.UK “Fire Safety Outdoors” leaflet explains legal restrictions and how to behave safely in the countryside  . The

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service also warns that campfires, BBQs, or litter left on dry grass can easily spark wildfires—and urges people to always have water or sand on hand  .

Bushcraft & Survival UK

Knowledge, Equipment, Respect for the Wild

www.bushcraftsurvivaluk.com