The month of May brings warmer weather and Albertans are eager to enjoy the outdoors. At this time of the year, the Office of the Fire Commissioner is reminding Albertans of the importance of fire safety when camping and heading outdoors.

Here are some important tips to help keep your campfire safe

Campfires

• Before starting a campfire, check to see if your community has a fire ban in place at albertafirebans.ca.
• Check for fire bans and restrictions within provincial parks at Alberta Parks.
• Always practice campfire safety.
• If required, get a permit. Always follow the rules, as outlined in your permit.
• Respect fire bans.
• Closely supervise all outdoor fires. Make sure the fire fully extinguished and out, before leaving.
• Supervise children around any fire outdoors, including campfires, fire pits, chimneys, and outdoor fireplaces.
• Permitted recreational fires such as campfires need to be at least 25 feet (8 meters) away from anything that can burn.
• Before starting a campfire, have a bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand nearby to extinguish the fire.
• To put out a campfire…Soak it, stir it, soak it again.