Extinguishing a Fire

When to use this

Every fire ends this way. Start 30 minutes before you actually want to leave the ring.

• End of the night
• Breaking camp
• Any time the fire isn’t actively supervised

What you need

• Full water bucket (or two)
• A shovel or trowel
• Long stick or fire poker

Step by step

1. 1.Stop adding fuel. Let what’s burning burn down to coals if time allows — full burn-down means less leftover wood.
2. 2.Pour water over the coals slowly. Don’t dump — slow pours cool more thoroughly.
3. 3.Stir the wet ash with a long stick or shovel. Buried embers stay hot for hours; you have to expose them.
4. 4.Pour more water. Stir again. Repeat until you stop hearing hisses.
5. 5.Hold the back of your hand 6 inches above the ash bed. If you feel any heat, keep going.
6. 6.Once the bed is cold to the touch, you’re done. Don’t leave until you can confirm this.

Pro tips

• Smoke means heat. If it’s smoking, it isn’t out.
• In dry country, double the water and the stir time.

Common mistakes

• Burying coals with dirt instead of drowning them. Buried coals can smolder and re-ignite hours later.
• Calling it done after one bucket. Two minimum.