The Land Buyer’s Guide
Your guide to buying, owning, and developing rural land. Practical tips, real‑world insights, and simple explanations to help you understand rural land decisions.
The Land Buyer’s Guide
Campfire Safety for Rural Land Owners: What You Need to Know
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There's something about sitting around a campfire on your own piece of land that just feels right. It's one of those simple things that makes land ownership so rewarding. Hey everyone, welcome back to the Land Buyer's Guide. I'm your host Scott Thomas, founder of LandParker.com, where we help everyday people get onto rural land with affordable owner financing. And today we're talking about campfires, specifically how to do them safely when you're out on your own property. Now, this might seem like pretty basic stuff, but honestly, once you own rural land, the whole conversation around fire shifts a little, and I think it's worth taking some time to walk through the fundamentals because a few smart habits can make a huge difference. So let's get into it. First thing worth mentioning, when you own land out in a rural or wooded area, you're often a good distance from the nearest fire station. The terrain can be dry, vegetation can be dense, and a fire that gets away from you, even a small one, can become a serious problem fast. That's not meant to scare anyone. Campfires are a completely normal part of rural life. You just want to go into it with a little awareness. Alright, so let's start with location. Where you set up your fire matters a lot. You want a flat, open area, look up. Are there branches hanging overhead? Look around. Is there dry grass or shrubs nearby? Those are things you want to move away from before you light anything. A good rule of thumb is keeping at least 10 to 15 feet between your fire and anything like a tent, a vehicle, or a structure. If your property already has a fire ring or a built-in pit, that's your best bet. Those spots are already cleared and broken in. They're there for a reason. And here's something people don't always think about. Avoid setting up on a slope if you can help it. Embers can roll downhill. Wind moves differently on slopes too. Flat ground, bare dirt or gravel underneath, away from flammable stuff. That's your ideal setup. Now let's talk about actually building the fire. The thing is, bigger isn't better when it comes to campfires. A modest fire is so much easier to manage, and honestly, just as enjoyable. You want to start small and build from there. Before you light anything, gather what you need, some tinder. That's your dry leaves, small twigs, maybe a store bought fire starter, then some kindling, the finger sized sticks, and then your larger pieces of fuel wood. Having it all ready before you strike a match makes the process smoother. Use dry, seasoned wood. Green wood or freshly cut wood burns differently. It produces more smoke and can throw off unpredictable sparks. And avoid throwing trash or cardboard into the fire, especially anything with coatings or chemicals on it. Treated lumber too. Those materials can release stuff you don't want to breathe and they create erratic flames. Just not worth it. Keep the fire contained. Don't let logs spread way out to the sides of your fire ring. A tighter, more controlled fire is easier to watch and easier to put out when you're done. Okay, supplies. Before you light up, make sure you have a few things nearby. A bucket of water, or at least a filled container, within arm's reach. A shovel's really useful, both for managing things while the fire's going and for putting it out properly. A fire extinguisher rated for outdoor use is a smart thing to have on your property, especially if you're out there regularly. And a long metal poker or stick so you can adjust logs without getting too close to the flames. This stuff doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. Just have it on hand before you need it. Now while the fire is burning, you don't have to stare at it the whole time, but you do want to stay present. Keep an eye on the wind. A gust can carry embers further than you'd expect, and conditions can shift pretty quickly. Add wood gradually rather than tossing a bunch on at once, which can cause things to flare up suddenly. If kids or pets are around, keep them at a safe distance, and watch for any embers that land outside your fire ring. Just knock them out before they have a chance to catch anything. The big one, don't walk away from an active fire. Even for just a few minutes, fires can change really fast, especially when it's dry out. Alright, let's talk about putting the fire out, because this part is just as important as anything else, and it's where a lot of problems actually happen. Start working on extinguishing the fire well before you plan to leave or turn in for the night. Give yourself at least twenty minutes. People underestimate that. Pour water over the fire slowly and evenly. You want to cover all the embers, not just the visible flames. Then take your shovel and stir everything around. That exposes the hot spots underneath. Add more water. Stir again. Repeat until everything is cool to the touch. If the ashes still feel warm, the fire isn't out yet. It really needs to be cool. If you're in a situation where water's limited, you can smother it with dirt and stir thoroughly. But water is the more reliable option when you have it available. Here's something else that's worth a few minutes of your time before you build any fire. Check local conditions and regulations. A lot of counties and states issue fire bans during dry seasons or when there are high winds. It's pretty easy to check. Your local fire department's website or a quick call can tell you if there are any restrictions in effect. State forestry departments also post fire danger ratings online regularly, worth a look, especially during summer and fall. If you're on a property that has a homeowners association or any kind of deed restrictions, it's also worth reviewing those. Some rural properties have rules around open burning, and if you're planning to build a permanent fire pit on your homestead, check whether your county requires a permit for that. Some do, some don't. Now, for folks who are more off-grid or managing a larger parcel, there are a few extra things to keep in mind. Creating what's called a defensible space around your home is a smart practice. That basically means clearing out dry brush, dead wood, and other combustible materials from at least 30 feet around any structure. It's not a lot of work once you build it into your routine and it makes a real difference. If you're going to have a regular fire spot, think about installing a dedicated pit with gravel or stone around it. It looks good, it's practical, and it makes fire management easier long term. Store your firewood away from your home. At least 30 feet from any structure is a good general target. And if you ever need to burn off brush or debris piles on your land, pick a calm day when the wind is low and have a water source close by the whole time. The more you get into a routine with fire management, especially as the seasons change, the more it just becomes second nature. You stop thinking of it as a safety checklist and it just becomes part of how you take care of your land. And that's really the big takeaway from today. Campfires are one of the best parts of owning rural land. They bring people together. They make those evenings outside feel special. And when you approach them with just a little preparation and awareness, you get to enjoy every single one of them without stress. Whether you're brand new to land ownership or you've been at it for years, these habits are worth building in. It's not complicated. It just takes a little intention. Thanks so much for spending some time with me today on the Land Buyer's Guide. If you're thinking about getting onto some land of your own, whether it's for camping, homesteading, hunting, or just having a place to get away, I'd love for you to come check out what we've got over at landparker.com. We specialize in rural vacant land with owner financing, and we've got options with as little as $100 down. No credit checks, no banks, just straightforward land buying. Head over to landparker.com, browse the available properties, and see if something speaks to you. We'll see you next time.