Field Skills
Leave no trace of a fire
A properly disposed fire leaves the site indistinguishable from surrounding ground — good practice everywhere, not just in wilderness areas.
Step-by-step
Burn all wood to fine ash — no charred chunks remaining.
Drown the ashes with water, stir, and drown again. Repeat until you can put your bare hand on the ash without any warmth.
Scatter the cold wet ashes broadly outside the camp area — never in one heap.
Return any rocks used for a ring to where you found them, dirty side down.
Sweep the area with a branch to disguise scorch marks and lift compressed vegetation.
Warning: The single most common cause of wildfire is an incompletely drowned fire. If you can feel any warmth in the ashes, it's not out.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.