đŸ”„ Ol’ Capt.’s Campfire Shut-Down Ritual & Fire Permit Know-How

đŸ”„ Ol’ Capt.’s Campfire Shut-Down Ritual & Fire Permit Know-How
đŸ”„ Ol’ Capt.’s Campfire Shut-Down Ritual & Fire Permit Know-How
(Told by a retired Irish fire captain turned High Sierra fisherman — the one they call “Capt.”)
Now sit a spell, friend. Ol’ Capt. didn’t earn his gray whiskers by lettin’ fires smolder and mountains burn. After hangin’ up his fire helmet, he took to fishin’ the High Sierras, callin’ trout in with bagpipes and a grin wide as the valley. But no matter how many fish tales he spins, he’ll tell ya this one’s gospel truth — “You don’t leave no fire till it’s deader than a doornail.”
đŸȘ” Step 1: Let ‘er Burn Down
Quit feedin’ that blaze like it’s Sunday supper. Let them logs crackle and crumble till you’ve got nothin’ but glowin’ coals and a bed of ash.
If you can still toast a marshmallow on it — you’re too early, buckaroo.
💧 Step 2: Drown the Beast
Take your water jug or that ol’ coffee pot and soak that pit like it owes you rent.
Start from the middle, work your way to the edges and bottom.
And don’t go leanin’ right over it unless you fancy a face full of steam and singed eyebrows.
đŸ„„ Step 3: Stir the Soup
Grab a stick or shovel and stir them ashes like Grandma’s stew.
Scrape them half-burnt logs and mix till every ember’s hissin’ like a mad cat.
Don’t trust the quiet ones — them embers hide deeper than a trout in shade.
❄ Step 4: Check It Twice
Do it all again — pour, stir, and test — till the fire pit’s cooler than a Sierra stream in springtime.
Hover your hand over it — if you feel heat, she ain’t done.
If you’re outta water, use dirt or sand, but don’t heap it high — that’ll trap heat and let the fire sneak back later.
🔖 Campfire Permits: What Ol’ Capt. Says You Gotta Know
Now, before you even think about lightin’ up a fire or boilin’ your coffee, you’d best have yourself a campfire permit. Them folks at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service don’t take kindly to wildfires started by good intentions and bad habits.
đŸ”„ What It Is
A California Campfire Permit is a free pass that lets you use campfires, charcoal grills, or even them fancy portable gas stoves outside developed campgrounds.
You can snag one easy-like — but remember, a permit ain’t a free-for-all. Always check local fire restrictions ‘cause sometimes even with a permit, fire’s off-limits.
🧭 How to Get One
  • Online: Take a short quiz and grab your free permit at preventwildfireca.org.
  • In Person: Swing by any BLM, Forest Service, or CAL FIRE office. Most ranger stations or visitor centers can fix you right up.
📜 Key Rules & Responsibilities
  • Permit Validity: Good for one calendar year.
  • Approved Devices: Needed for campfires, charcoal grills, gas stoves, and lanterns (though some places might limit what you can use).
  • Local Restrictions: Always check local fire danger levels — some areas ban fires altogether, even with a permit.
  • Safety First: Clear a 5-foot radius around your fire, keep a shovel and water nearby, and never leave that fire alone.
  • Putting It Out: Same rules as the Capt. taught ya — drown, stir, and touch-test before you leave.
💬 Ol’ Capt.’s Final Say:
“Fire’s a tool, not a toy. Treat it with respect, same way you’d handle a fly rod or a full belly o’ whiskey.”

1 comment

That old Kodger makes sense

Dennis ‱

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