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Concerned about campfire/firepit smoke

charming
Explorer
Explorer
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?
Looking forward to new adventures and new friends.
40 REPLIES 40

nevadanick
Explorer
Explorer
If you go by the rule of thumb the smoke from a fire should not bother you.

deleted-2
Explorer
Explorer
Stefonius wrote:
Thats_Ok wrote:
I used to not build campfires for fear that a rhinoceros would come stamp it out.

Other campers mentioned to me that campfires were ok because in North America there have been no reports of rhinos stomping out camp fires.
That might have been me. I've been mistaken for a rhinoceros before. After accidentally setting myself on fire once or twice, I have given up stomping in favor of using a fire extinguisher.


In the fire extinguisher thread it's being recommended to run away from fire.
Confused about this because if I'm on fire and try to run away from myself won't the fire follow me?

charming
Explorer
Explorer
We went back to Huntington Beach State Park for a couple of nights this week and did not experience any of the smoke we encountered driving through Myrtle Beach State Park. We even enjoyed our own fire last night and no heavy smoke cover.

I think the problem with MB was as I thought, the heavy tree cover plus the tiny camp sites were a recipe for lots of smoke.
Looking forward to new adventures and new friends.

Stefonius
Explorer
Explorer
Thats_Ok wrote:
I used to not build campfires for fear that a rhinoceros would come stamp it out.

Other campers mentioned to me that campfires were ok because in North America there have been no reports of rhinos stomping out camp fires.
That might have been me. I've been mistaken for a rhinoceros before. After accidentally setting myself on fire once or twice, I have given up stomping in favor of using a fire extinguisher.
2003 F450 Crew Cab, 7.3 PSD "Truckasaurus"
2010 Coachmen North Ridge 322RLT fiver "Habitat for Insanity"
I love my tent, but the DW said, "RV or Divorce"...

deleted-2
Explorer
Explorer
I used to not build campfires for fear that a rhinoceros would come stamp it out.

Other campers mentioned to me that campfires were ok because in North America there have been no reports of rhinos stomping out camp fires.

1775
Explorer
Explorer
OP- You are going to encounter campfires at most campgrounds - commercial or public - at any time of the year. If your RV or TT is well insulated and you don't open the windows or run your roof fan you will not smell it. It should not be a problem if you run your A/C as that draws from inside and vents out (usually). If someone is allergic it is going to be a problem just walking through the campground or outside your RV.

On our last trip this August there was a cool night and we decided to turn off the A/C, open a window, and turn on the roof fan. The RV quickly filled up with smoke. We closed the window, the fan exhausted it all out, and we turned on the A/C again on low and then no more smoke. It is just the way it is when at campgrounds.
Roadtrek 190 Popular 2011

Meryl and Me Hit the Road

charming
Explorer
Explorer
Executive wrote:
To the OP....start a WalMart thread and watch the fun....:B:B:B.....Dennis


Not a chance, MB is home to the original People of Walmart website. ๐Ÿ˜›
Looking forward to new adventures and new friends.

Executive45
Explorer III
Explorer III
To the OP....start a WalMart thread and watch the fun....:B:B:B.....Dennis
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Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
Thats_Ok wrote:
We did a couple of campfires last trip out.

The breeze changed direction every few minutes we had smoke in our faces and ash in our laps.
The campfire has treated me this way my whole life.


You know the old saying. "Smoke follows Beauty" It's what we say every time the smoke comes our way.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

deleted-2
Explorer
Explorer
We did a couple of campfires last trip out.

The breeze changed direction every few minutes we had smoke in our faces and ash in our laps.
The campfire has treated me this way my whole life.

Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
Lowsuv wrote:
So Terry are you gonna bring anything meaningful to the solution ?
Or are you just gonna critique me ?
You do not have OSB on the fire at all times .
If you did , then 2 boxes of OSB squares would not last very long .
Come on Man .. Lighten Up ..
Try It ...
Then form an opinion .


Nope Not gonna burn imitation chemically treated wood just to make you happy.

And I already gave my solution to the problem. I will repeat. 1. IF you don't like fires, don't RV where people camp. 2. Use real wood. Real wood should be the only thing in your fire if you are going to cook anything over it. Pretty simple
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

Crowe
Explorer
Explorer
LOL - My second topic on here and I have started a war, who knew?

You flatter yourself way too much! :B This is a SKIRMISH, not a WAR.

These types of threads, as long as they stay civil, open eyes up to the view from the "opposition". Some may forget that others have medical issues that may be affected by their actions, and these threads can result in an "oh, ya, maybe I'd better check the quality of my wood" or something. Those of us that DO have issues generally take it upon ourselves to take the necessary steps to avoid getting in trouble. Sometimes there are things you just can't control, like weather conditions. Bar Harbor KOA gets inundated with smoke when there's no wind.

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be

Douglas Adams

[purple]RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road. [/purple]

Stefonius
Explorer
Explorer
Mr. Camper wrote:
I understand and agree with those who complain about the selling and burning of green wood. Having said that, campfires are one of the best things about the camping lifestyle. I have breathing issues and to solve the problem many years ago we bought a propane firepit. That doesn't stop others from burning wood but it wouldn't be right for me to complain about their doing so. It's my problem and when it gets to be too much, I'll go inside. Remember there is a difference between a campfire and a bonfire.
We also purchased a propane firepit a few years ago. It does not aggravate my asthma, but it's a constant battle to keep drunken idiots from throwing things into the "fire", such as cigarette butts, beer cans/bottles, snack wrappers, et cetera. Anything dropped in the firepit has to be fished out eventually. I make the offender do it right away so I don't have to do it later.
2003 F450 Crew Cab, 7.3 PSD "Truckasaurus"
2010 Coachmen North Ridge 322RLT fiver "Habitat for Insanity"
I love my tent, but the DW said, "RV or Divorce"...

Lowsuv
Explorer
Explorer
So Terry are you gonna bring anything meaningful to the solution ?
Or are you just gonna critique me ?
You do not have OSB on the fire at all times .
If you did , then 2 boxes of OSB squares would not last very long .
Come on Man .. Lighten Up ..
Try It ...
Then form an opinion .