Wind and fire, the two don’t combined very well. You see, there is a multitude of dangers that can occur when you go to start a fire in a windy environment, some may be obvious while others like are not. Now, that’s not to say that if the slight amount of wind is present you cannot have a fire.
Rather, there is specifically a point where the wind will become too great in order to safely have a campfire in the area. Today, we will be going over when it is safe and when it is not safe to be having the campfire. Specifically, when wind is present.
Simply: Can You Have A Fire When Its Windy?
The lines are somewhat gray when it comes to whether or not you can safely have a fire when wind is present. Though, to get technical with it, you shouldn’t have a fire of any sort if the wind is present. Wind can easily take control of any fire, and simply cause a controlled situation to become uncontrolled and dangerous.
Otherwise, having the campfire in a windy environment can result in the fire jumping the parameter of the Pit, and spreading uncontrollably. A large unexpected gust of wind can result in the ignition of a massive forest fire, or similar. Large amounts of wind and fire do not mix well unless the intention is to spread the fire quickly and effortlessly.
Simply put, you run a higher risk of beginning a massive, uncontrolled fire if you are to how the fire in a windy or somewhat windy environment. I know having a campfire is a wonderful and enjoyable experience. But the Risk far outweigh the enjoyment if wind is presently in the area. This is why you should avoid having a campfire in any sort of windy environment.
My recommendation would be, simply wait out the wind. Odds are the wind will dissipate in a short period of time. Once the wind is calm down and out you likely will be the OK to begin your campfire. But keep in mind, the responsibility lies 100% on those who start the campfire.
If you intellectually feel that the wind is still too great to be having a campfire. Listen to those little thoughts, your intuition is likely hard at work at this point. If
Quick Story:
Personally, I have had many campfires, as well as backyard bonfires. And the ones that are most memorable are the ones where the fire got out of control and we nearly set the nearby land on fire. They are not memorable in a good way by any means, rather a terrifying gut-wrenching way.
One story that comes to mind, Was the mid-summer evening when I got invaded over to my neighbor’s house for a backyard bonfire. We have plans on roasting marshmallows and chilling out to have a good time. Plus, they had a cute daughter.
So of course, like any male in his mid to late teens, I was all for! I got up there shortly after the invitation, parked my truck and began walking out back of their house. Everyone was prepping for the awesome bonfire we were about to have.
10 minutes later the fire was started, and we began our experience her and the campfire talking about life, and swapping stories. Literally just 2 minutes after igniting the fire the wind began to blow.
Now the wind around where we live is to not anything to mess with. It can start out seeming very innocent. But literally moments after the beginning signs, the world around us began to feel as if it was in the vortex of a tornado. It hit so abruptly that we had no time to even douse the fire before it arrived.
Sparks and debris from the firepit were blowing all over the backyard, everyone frantically running around trying to stomp out all the embers. The wind was literally so bad that you had to be right next to a person in order to hear what they were saying (and of course they had to be yelling).
Thankfully if the wind blew from north to south, blowing all the debris onto the freshly water grass. Had the windblown west to east, we likely would have caught the neighborhood on fire. Because in that direction was a field of dry (Light brown) weeds that would have surely ignited the moment a spark touched the area…
That evening I learned just how dangerous wind can be when mixed with fire.
Though a minimal amount of wind typically it is safe to have a fire in his always important that you have a hose, or bucket of water resting their next to the fire for if the unexpected is to occur. Wind, and fire is not something to mess with, simply because away and essentially fuels and spreads the fire at an excessively faster rate than otherwise.
The Point When It’s To Windy For A Campfire
Now that you know, too much wind mixed with fire can be excessively dangerous. When exactly is it too windy to have the campfire? Well, in short, you should never start a fire if the wind speed is greater than 5 MPH. If the wind picks up while you are enjoying a campfire, the moment it reaches an excess of 5 MPH or greater you should instantly put it out. Preferably it is best to put out the fire before the wind speed reaches 5 MPH or greater.
I think you will agree with me when I say: when the wind picks up and I’m trying to enjoy the campfire, odds are the campfire will not continue to be anywhere near as enjoyable, simply for the fact that the smoke and other debris from the fire is being picked up and sent my way due to the wind, making the experience much less a satisfying than it was originally.
From my experience, once the way and reaches an excess of five MPH or greater the danger level rises exponentially, while the enjoyment level drops drastically. If you have ever experienced excessive amounts of wind is likely already know the power it can have. Now mix that with a burning campfire, and you have an excessive amount of risk, of starting a large firefight between man and nature.
Again, any more then a wind speed of 5 MPH and a danger level of having a campfire, or bonfire rises exponentially. Simply to avoid this situation at all costs. If the wind picks up while you are in the middle of having a campfire be sure to put it out before the wind gets worse.
Max Wind Speed For A Safe Fire
Like stated above a wind speed greater than 5 Miles Per Hour is too much to be having a campfire or bonfire. Any more than a wind speed of 5 MPH and you run a high risk of the fire jumping the fire pit parameters, and beginning a large forest fire.
However, given that you likely wont have a way to measure the wind speed. Simply use the trees around you as a guide. If the trees surrounding you move noticeably due to the wind it is likely a good point where you should either begin dousing the fire, or avoid making one all together.
The surrounding trees can make for an excellent gauge as to how powerful the wind is at the current moment
Conclusion
Having the campfire (or really any fire for that matter) when a windspeed of 5 miles per hour or greater is present can become extremely dangerous, and highly threatening of burning the land that surrounds… To gauge what the current windspeed is.
Simply use the trees that surround you, if they are swaying noticeably due to the forces of the wind is highly recommended that you either avoid starting a fire, or you frantically begin to put out the fire, as windspeeds can quickly increase in the short duration of time.
Wind can make a fairly safe and enjoyable environment turn excessively dangerous and risky when paired with a simple campfire or bonfire. Avoid having a fire in any sort of windy conditions, simply because the wind will heavily fuel the fire, and quickly spread the fire, in most cases much faster than can be controlled.
Personally, whenever the wind begins to pick up that lot of building a campfire typically leaves my mind. Simply for the fact that the risk of burning the land around drastically increase, as the wind in the area increases. If I’m in the middle of having a campfire and the wind begins to pick up, I instantly get a bucket, fill it with water, and set it by my side. The moment I hear the way and pushing through the trees from a distance I stand up, grabbed the bucket filled with water, and begin dousing the flames.
Using the trees surrounding you can make for a great warning system, simply because you can typically hear the rustling of the trees from a distance as the wind makes its way toward you. Also, if you can use the trees as a way to judge the strength of the wind as it passes.
I hope you were able to find some value here. If you have any further questions regarding campfire’s, or anything related to camping then be sure to check out the Outdoor Luxuriez General Camp Center. Otherwise good luck on your next outing!
This Is Colt Signing Off!
