One of the advantages of living in Arkansas is access to a spacious yard you can enjoy all year long. But "with a great backyard comes great responsibility". This involves keeping up with the seasonal cleanup and ensuring those wonderful bonfires don't become a matchstick for your home.
An open fire can be a great tool and a cherished tradition, but it’s also far more unpredictable than a contained fire pit. A sudden gust of wind or a smoldering ember is all it takes for a controlled burn to escape, threatening your home, your land, and even your neighborhood!
As the South Arkansas experts in fire damage restoration, here at Restore-It, we have seen firsthand how quickly these situations can escalate. Our experience comes from helping families pick up the pieces, and our goal is to provide you with the knowledge to prevent such situations from ever happening.
By understanding the principles of open burning and following key guidelines from authorities like the U.S. Fire Administration, you can manage outdoor fires responsibly and safely. Let's learn together some helpful tips on how to keep those flames in check and prevent a catastrophe.
Check This Before You Burn Waste in Your Backyard
First, it's important to differentiate between legal and illegal burning. In the state of Arkansas, it is not legal to burn trash, garbage, or other waste materials. On the other hand, "yard waste" (grass clippings, leaves, and shrubbery trimmings) is perfectly fine to burn, so long as you check if there are active burn bans.
During dry and windy periods, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture issues burn bans to prevent wildfires. When a burn ban is active in the area, all open burning is considered illegal due to its hazardous nature.
If you plan a backyard fire, you should check beforehand to avoid problems. You can find the most current information by checking the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Burn Ban map or by calling your local fire department. Even if there isn't a county-wide ban, your specific city or town may have its own ordinances about when and what you can burn.
The Starting Point: Picking a Safe Location
The single biggest factor in preventing an outdoor fire from escaping is choosing the right spot. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) provides clear guidelines that every homeowner should follow. If you are going for an open fire rather than a small, contained fire pit, follow these tips:
1. Make a Buffer Zone
You need to establish a safe distance from anything that could catch fire. For open fires, including bonfires and debris piles, the USFA recommends a minimum distance of 25 feet from any structure. This buffer should be even larger, up to 50 feet, in very dry or windy conditions. This includes:
- Your home, garage, and any sheds
- Woodpiles and fuel tanks
- Fences and your neighbor’s property
- Cars and other vehicles
2. Look Up and Look Down
But distance is not the only consideration. Never light a fire under low-hanging tree branches, power lines, or any other overhead obstruction. Embers can travel upwards and ignite dry leaves or damage utility lines.
The ground around the fire is another factor. Your fire should be on level ground. Do not start a fire on dry grass or leaves. Scrape the area first, down to the bare soil, to create a fire-safe circle at least 10 feet wide where your fire will be centered.
How to Prepare and Manage Your Fire Safely
Once you have the right location, proper management is key to keeping the fire under control from start to finish. This means having the right tools on hand and never letting your guard down.
Build Your Fire Responsibly
For a recreational bonfire or campfire, dig a pit in the center of your cleared circle or build a fire ring out of rocks to help contain the embers.
When burning yard debris, keep the pile small and manageable. A large, sprawling pile is much harder to control. It's safer to burn a small pile and add more debris gradually than to start with one massive heap.
Keep a Close Eye on the Weather
The weather should also be in your mind when making a fire. A calm, clear day is ideal for any outdoor burning. Avoid burning on windy days. Strong or gusty winds can carry embers long distances, creating "spot fires" far from your original burn pile. If the wind picks up unexpectedly while your fire is going, the safest thing to do is to extinguish it immediately.
Never Use Flammable Liquids
It can be tempting to use gasoline, diesel, or lighter fluid to get a fire going quickly, but this is an incredibly dangerous mistake. These accelerants can vaporize and create an explosive flash that can cause severe burns and instantly spread the fire out of control. Start your fire with natural kindling and paper.
Always Have Extinguishing Tools Ready
Before you strike the match, have your fire-fighting tools within arm's reach. You should never have to run back to the house to get what you need in an emergency. Your toolkit should include:
- A garden hose that is long enough to reach the fire, with the water turned on and ready to spray.
- A shovel or a rake to move embers and dirt.
- A bucket of water or sand.
The most important rule, emphasized by all fire safety organizations, is never to leave a fire unattended, not even for a moment. A responsible adult must be present to watch the fire from the moment it is lit until it is entirely out.
The Last Step: Is Your Fire "Cold Out"?
According to USFA reports, burning debris is a major cause of wildfires. This happens because people believe their fire is out when it isn’t. Embers buried deep within a pile of ashes can stay hot for days, waiting for a gust of wind to bring them back to life. You must ensure your fire is "cold out" before you leave it.
The process is simple but must be done thoroughly.
- Douse with Water: Gently pour or spray water over the entire fire bed, including the edges. Continue until the hissing and steaming stop.
- Stir with a Shovel: Use a shovel to turn over all the ashes, embers, and logs. Scrape the bottom of the pit to make sure you uncover any buried heat.
- Douse Again: Apply more water to the stirred pile until it saturates.
- The Final Test: Carefully place the back of your hand near the ashes. If you feel any warmth at all, it is not out. Repeat the dousing and stirring process until it is cool to the touch.
Outdoor burning is a part of life in Arkansas, but it carries a great responsibility. By planning, respecting the weather, and taking extinguishment seriously, you can prevent a devastating accident. Your diligence protects not only your home but your entire community.
Now that you're an expert on preventing outdoor fires, the next step is to learn how you can better protect your home from fires in general. Read our guide on "Understanding the Different Fire Categories (and How to Fight Them)" to make your property more resilient.
Even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. If an outdoor fire gets out of control and damages your home, shed, or other property, quick action is the key to minimizing the damage.
If you experience fire or smoke damage, call Restore-It. Our IICRC-certified team is on call 24/7 to respond to your emergency, providing professional assessment and immediate restoration services to get your life back to normal.
Topics:
