Concerned about campfire/firepit smoke

[charming]

Our first camping trip was a couple of nights at Huntington Beach state park in SC. It was very hot so no one was using the firepits.

Yesterday afternoon we drove through Myrtle Beach State Park because we were thinking about going there for our next camping trip. Now MB has a much heavier tree canopy than Huntington and the campsites are much closer and a lot more of them; but I could hardly breath from the smoke. Was this a fluke? Or is it something we should be concerned with camping in cooler weather at any park?

[naturist]

While I know that many folks idea of a campfire requires large piles of flaming logs, I have taken to trying to convert camping neighbors to the use of the "swedish candle"/"cowboy candle" campfire concept, which is essentially smoke-free, assuming it's made with a dry log.

movie

[SRT]

Executive wrote:
A campfire is to camping as a horse was to a buggy. That said, it's not the campfire that's the problem, it's the dolt MAKING the fire. A well made campfire will give off a minimal amount of smoke and ash. Using dry wood is the first step but is usually overlooked. Making a FIRE is the second step. Usually campers simply throw some logs into the pit, add a gallon or so of gasoline, then throw in a match...viola! instant fire. Gas burns up, logs are not lit completely, and the fire goes out and smoulders creating eye watering, throat irritating, chest hurting smoke. (OK I exaggerated a bit on the amount of gasoline..:B) We encountered one idiot that was using pressure treated 4x4's...:S...the other issue is building a fire, then going back into the RV and letting it burn itself out. Why? If you're not sitting next to it, you're not enjoying it, so put the darn thing out. Letting it simply smoulder is stupid and inconsiderate to everyone. Stupid, as it may flare up from a gust of wind and catch something else on fire with no one around.. inconsiderate, as not everyone likes to sleep with the windows closed or have the smell of wood smoke permeate their coach, their clothes and their bedding. I think the State Campground rangers should have a presentation on how to build campfires. Everyone would benefit....OK...I'm off my rant..:B:B:B...Dennis

Good rant, Dennis. My father taught my brother and I how to build a proper campfire and start it with one "kitchen" match. Have always enjoyed sitting around a nice campfire. But many "campers" out there have no concept of building and maintaining a campfire. As a former Scoutmaster we were taught how to build a variety of campfires, but I've since lost that skill.

Now that I've matured it seems that my lungs have problems with smoke and have to stay in the MH in fresher air.

[Executive45]

A campfire is to camping as a horse was to a buggy. That said, it's not the campfire that's the problem, it's the dolt MAKING the fire. A well made campfire will give off a minimal amount of smoke and ash. Using dry wood is the first step but is usually overlooked. Making a FIRE is the second step. Usually campers simply throw some logs into the pit, add a gallon or so of gasoline, then throw in a match...viola! instant fire. Gas burns up, logs are not lit completely, and the fire goes out and smoulders creating eye watering, throat irritating, chest hurting smoke. (OK I exaggerated a bit on the amount of gasoline..:B) We encountered one idiot that was using pressure treated 4x4's...:S...the other issue is building a fire, then going back into the RV and letting it burn itself out. Why? If you're not sitting next to it, you're not enjoying it, so put the darn thing out. Letting it simply smoulder is stupid and inconsiderate to everyone. Stupid, as it may flare up from a gust of wind and catch something else on fire with no one around.. inconsiderate, as not everyone likes to sleep with the windows closed or have the smell of wood smoke permeate their coach, their clothes and their bedding. I think the State Campground rangers should have a presentation on how to build campfires. Everyone would benefit....OK...I'm off my rant..:B:B:B...Dennis

[downtheroad]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
We never burn green wood. Our fuel of choice is old tires.

Excellent...and don't forget to throw in the dirty diapers....:)
(a sense of humor is a requirement for camping)

[Terryallan]

Camping could be a wrong choice for you IF you can't deal with campfires. When it is cool enough. Just about everyone has a campfire. It's as much a part of camping, as camping can get.

There are of course some RV Resorts that do not allow fires. Those could be a better choice for folks that do not like campfires. I'm not sure, But I think Myrtle Beach Travel Park does not allow fires, nor Briercliff across 17.

I know of only a few Mountain CGs that do not allow fires, We avoid them, and there was one in Charleston that did not allow fire, We went elsewhere. But those may be good for you.

[Francesca_Knowl]

We never burn green wood. Our fuel of choice is old tires.

[sch911]

Camping and Campfires are like Pancakes and Syrup. They just go together. The challenge is to do them right. Unfortunately as stated many campers try to burn green wood or trash and this creates excessive smoke and ash. These folks need our help!

[downtheroad]

Being a 'new member' I guess you might has missed the campfire/smoke wars that are often raged here on the Forum.

Some love campfires and keep one burning 24/7. Others hate them and get into tussles with their neighbors over them..
Good luck, pick your side and jump in.

[Dick_B]

It's a problem. Fortunately our A/C works because in the summer we can't open the windows to get `fresh' air thru the rig because of the smoke. It only takes one smokey campfire with no wind to make it miserable.
Some campers try to burn 12 inch thick logs...

[mdcamping]

or try preventing the campgrounds from selling green wood...


Mike

[naturist]

Local inversions (ie, layer of warm air over ground layer of cold air, which then traps smoke close to the ground) is a fairly common event, although usually just before dawn. Smoke that thick is unusual.

How you prevent idiots from trying to burn green wood, which is majorly smokey, that is the question.