10 wildfire prevention tips for camping safely

Overview

In this article, you’ll learn:

• 10 wildfire prevention tips for camping safely
• How to keep kids and pets safe around campfires
• What to do if a wildfire breaks out while camping
• How to support World Vision Canada ’s Emergency Response

Canada’s wildfire season typically runs from April 1 to October 31, with most wildfire activity occurring between May and August. During peak wildfire season, dry vegetation, lightning and higher temperatures increase the risk of wildfires in forests, grasslands and prairie regions.

Climate change is making wildfire seasons longer and more intense, with hotter, drier conditions creating the perfect environment for fires to ignite and spread. Although some wildfires are sparked by lightning, many are linked to human activity. As Canadians spend more time outdoors during the summer, understanding how to prevent wildfires becomes even more important.

For many families, camping is a beloved summertime activity. Each summer, millions of Canadians head to campgrounds, cottages and provincial parks to enjoy the outdoors, and no camping trip feels complete without a campfire. Whether you’re cooking dinner, roasting marshmallows or gathering around the flames to share stories, campfires are a cherished summer tradition.

But when campfires aren’t built or extinguished properly, they can quickly become a wildfire risk. Taking a few simple precautions can help keep your family—and the surrounding environment—safe.

10 wildfire prevention tips for camping safely

1. Before you light a campfire, check for fire bans and restrictions . Fire bans can be put in place during hot, dry or windy conditions when wildfire risk is elevated. If a fire ban is in effect, do not build a campfire under any circumstances.
2. Burn only clean, dry firewood. Never toss paper plates, food packaging, aerosol cans, glass, Styrofoam or plastics into a campfire. These materials can create dangerous sparks, toxic fumes or flying embers.
3. Buy firewood locally whenever possible. Transporting firewood can spread invasive insects and tree diseases that weaken forests and increase wildfire risks. For example, the emerald ash borer —an invasive beetle that has devastated ash tree populations across North America—is known to spread through moved firewood, killing infected trees within two years. Buying firewood where you’ll burn it helps keep pests like this contained to the areas they’re already in.
4. Use a designated fire pit whenever one is available. Clear a one-metre space around the pit and remove leaves, pine needles, twigs and other debris that could catch fire.
5. If you’re camping in the backcountry, follow local regulations and choose a safe location. If campfires are permitted, select a sheltered area protected from wind and close to a water source, if possible. Make sure there’s no deadfall, dry brush or low, overhanging branches in your camping area.
6. Consider using a camping stove instead of a campfire, especially in the backcountry. Make sure the stove is in good working condition and has a control valve that allows you to extinguish the flame quickly.
7. Keep campfires manageable. Smaller fires are easier to control and less likely to throw sparks or spread. In many jurisdictions, including Ontario, campfires must be no larger than one metre in height and diameter.
8. Never leave a campfire unattended. Your campfire is your responsibility. If it starts a wildfire, you could be held liable for suppression costs and/or damages.
9. Keep emergency supplies nearby. Always have a bucket of water and a shovel within easy reach in case the fire begins to spread.
10. Keep matches and lighters away from children. Don’t allow children to play with fire-starting materials or throw objects into the flames.

Keep kids and pets safe around the campfire

Campfires are irresistible to excited kids and curious pets, so a few extra precautions go a long way:

• Assign a fire watcher. This person will manage the fire to ensure that it doesn’t get out of hand. They can also keep an eye on nearby kids and pets, so they don’t get near the fire.
• Keep pets leashed near the fire pit. A pet chasing sparks, knocking over a lantern or getting too close to the flames can create a hazard just as easily as an unsupervised child.
• Teach kids fire safety basics. “Stop, drop and roll” is one of the first fire safety lessons we learn in school and for a good reason. It’s a rule that’s helped save countless lives over the years.
• Keep a leash and pet carrier near your emergency kit. In an emergency, you’ll need to move quickly with your entire family—including your pets. Having pet gear ready to grab saves precious time and helps make sure that everyone stays together.

Building a safe campfire is only half the job. Properly extinguishing your campfire before you leave—or before going to sleep—is one of the most important steps in wildfire prevention.

Four steps to putting out a campfire

According to Ontario Parks, this is the safest way to put out a campfire:

1. Pour lots of water on the fire.
2. Stir the ashes and embers with a stick or shovel.
3. Pour more water on the ashes.
4. Repeat the process until the ashes are cool to the touch, there is no hissing sound and no smoke is visible.

These rules help everyone enjoy the outdoors safely. If a campfire escapes and causes a wildfire, you could face significant fines and be held responsible for the cost of putting it out.

What to do if a wildfire breaks out while camping

A wildfire can happen at any time, so it’s important to be prepared if you’re thinking of going camping during peak wildfire season. Here are some safety tips to consider before you go camping, when you arrive at your campsite and if you must evacuate due to threat of wildfire.

The following recommendations are adapted from guidance provided by Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.

Know before you go

• Check current wildfire risk maps and alerts for the region
• Sign up for provincial emergency alerts
• Share your camping location and dates with someone outside of your group

Arriving at the campground

• Know your campground’s evacuation routes before settling in. In an emergency, every minute counts.
• Ensure you have plenty of fuel in your vehicle. If you have an electric vehicle, make sure it’s at full charge.
• Place your emergency kit within easy reach and tell others where it is.

Consider packing an emergency kit that includes:

• Non-perishable food and bottled water
• Regular medicines and over-the-counter pain relievers
• First aid kit
• Mobile devices, chargers and cords
• Battery powered radio and extra batteries
• Fully charged power banks
• Flashlight
• Glasses/contacts
• Park map and compass

If an evacuation order is issued

• Head to the nearest evacuation centre.
• Contact family and friends to let them know where you are.
• Follow the directions of first responders and Parks Canada employees.
• Check in with campground staff before you leave.
• Keep your headlights on in smoke and low visibility areas.
• Have a paper map as backup in case cell service drops.
• Stay alert and calm until you can safely leave the area.

Support World Vision Canada’s Emergency Response

Fire doesn’t only threaten campgrounds and forests—it’s also one of the fastest-moving dangers in crowded settlement camps, where a single fire can engulf hundreds of shelters within minutes.

On January 20, 2026, a fire tore through the world’s largest displacement camp located in Bangladesh, destroying 669 shelters and affecting 2,870 people. World Vision deployed emergency teams on the ground, providing child protection services, psychosocial support and hot meals, while advocating for safer, fire-resistant shelters in this fire-prone area.

This kind of rapid response is at the heart of World Vision Canada’s disaster relief work which does more than save lives. We ensure affected children and families have access to food, water, shelter and first aid. When the immediate crisis subsides, we continue to walk alongside them as their communities rebuild. And we work tirelessly to ensure government policies and programs are in place to secure their futures.

In 2025, we responded to 34 emergencies around the world, reaching 3.9 million people through our efforts. You can help us reach even more. Learn more about Emergency Response today and become a supporter.