When to have a fire!?

[MM-on-POINT]

this has been on my mind for a while.
when my mate and I do a overnighter together he always insist on a camp fire and I always ask why and he says the same thing "when I (he) used to camp in Pakistan you have to have a camp fire for jaguars and other predators" :(
My reply is as always "we aren't in pakistan" :D

I have only recently required a fire for a camp to cook with but that is in my esbit stove and if i can not find fuel I just use esbit blocks.

so in the uk when and where do you have a camp fire and what do you take in to consideration to minimise impact to the environment?

Yes s8tannorm this a spin off from our conversation in the resolution thread.

Can I suggest that if you were to have a fire outside, to knock up some kind of 'stove' it'd be a real shame to scorch the ground with a fire ring.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Pretty much never unless it's in a bothy stove. This isn't some well thought out, conscious decision, just a combination of time, opportunity and desire I guess.

I will admit that I find the residues of fires / campsites a bit of a blot and prefer an approach closer to leave-no-trace but I'm not a purist. TBH, the campfires I find / pass are usually surrounded by the detritus of the lesser spotted chav (bottle, cans, crisp bags etc).

I'll admit though that some of my fondest memories of long ago camps were sitting round a fire.

[Bearbonesnorm]

If there's already a fire ring present then I'll sometimes reuse it but only if the fire is 'needed'. I won't light one just for the sake of it.

I'd only light a fire in different circumstances if I was certain that I'd be able to leave no trace that it was ever there. CM you're dead right about the 'fall out' from a camp fire ... why do some people think that tin cans and bottles burn :?

Using something like the Ikea wood stove lets you have a fire and leave no trace ... win, win

[Matt]

To do it properly so it leaves no trace it's just a sod and takes time.

and it's always wet!

and there is always too much Pertex which does not mix well with fire.

and it attracts attention.

and so on.

So never for me, just a bit of meths on a stove

[gairym]

To do it properly so it leaves no trace it's just a sod and takes time.

agreed - which is why i hardly ever have a fire but when i do i make sure i've got the time and energy to leave no trace.

i don't think it's a problem to have a fire on someone else's left trace but i won't usually bother.

[MM-on-POINT]

all the points made so far are spot on.
My biggest reason for not having a campfire is to remain hidden so you can enjoy the night with out attracting attention.
I think i win this argument between me and my friend based on the points already hightlighted and quiet simpily there are no jaguers, mountain lion or any thing else higher up the food chain fo ward off

[Cheeky Monkey]

or any thing else higher up the food chain fo ward off

Weeeeelllllllll, you say that but nowadays they're just not as furry and walking on all fours (as much as your average jungle animal)

I also read the odd thread on hammockforums.net (given it's an American based site) about how to store your handgun / firearm in a hammock. Puts whether-or-not-to-have-a-campfire into perspective

[gairym]

or any thing else higher up the food chain fo ward off

Weeeeelllllllll, you say that but nowadays they're just not as furry and walking on all fours (as much as your average jungle animal)

funny you should bring this up as our butcher was telling us that there was a meeting recently for the farmers of the Ardeche to discuss the 'problem' of some Wolves that crossed from the Vercors to the Ardeche (though this meeting was clearly about government subsidies and not about animal safety).

gives me something more than Boar (which are mean enough!) to think about when out in the hills

but.....i think you were generally talking about the UK where your biggest predator is the 'Common Drunken Chav'

[MM-on-POINT]

drunken chav

Now that is a danger, i suppose when it comes to those we should just adopt the "if you don't understand it then kill it" approach. Better safe then sorry
:D

[Dan_K]

Funny you should mention boars as they seem to be thriving in Kent. Never seen one when i've been riding over that way but it could make for a mean spitroast.......
Would killing a wild boar be sufficient reason to have a fire?

[MM-on-POINT]

Wild Boar/pigs are getting so common, in the f.o.dean they where reintroduce for some reason now the are every where.
I have had one sniffing and grunting right out side my tent before and the other month i almost cycled right in to the biggest i have ever seen in my life in the new forest.
so yeah a fire for a spit would be justifiable, make sure you don't forget to post your photos of it in the trip and adventure section