For people heading off to the cottage to catch the last weeks of the summer, be aware that many municipalities and townships have fire bans in force. In some areas the fire departments are not issuing permits for open air burning, while lighting fires for ‘warmth and cooking’ – i.e. campfires – are not covered by a ban. However, according to the Canadian Wildfire Fire Information System, much of Southern Ontario is at a high or extreme risk. In these hot, dry conditions, lighting fires or letting off fireworks puts your family, the cottage and your neighbors’ property at risk so please, please don’t do it.

Take a look at my previous post on Campfires at the Cottage for more information on finding out the fire risk status in the cottage country area you are visiting.

Everyone loves a campfire at the cottage – it’s part of the experience. Roasting marshmallows or wieners; gazing into the flames and enjoying the smell of woodsmoke. And I bet there are many people who’ve already tried that Bailey’s trick of dunking the flaming marshmallow into a glass of the liqueur. Personally, I can’t think of anything-worse than bits of charcoaled sticky-sweet mess floating in my drink. But then, judging by the barely used bags of marshmallow I find in my cottage cupboards after our rental guests have left, it’s a short-lived fantasy.

Fun apart, lighting a campfire in cottage country is serious business. I don’t have statistics but bet that they are the cause of a high proportion of callouts for volunteer fire departments over the summer. A few simple precautions and sensible thinking are usually enough to reduce the risk of fire:

Check the fire risk  status in the area

At some point on your drive in to the cottage you will have seen a sign at the side of the road showing the current fire risk status in the area. 

The current risk will have been updated by the local volunteer fire department so don’t ignore it. If it says High Risk, then that’s just what is means, and there will be a fire ban in force. Lighting a fire will not only place you and the cottage you are renting at risk, it will also alarm other cottage owners who won’t think twice before reporting it. Before you know it, the local fire chief and quite a few volunteers will be there to leave you in no doubt of the stupidity of lighting a campfire when a ban is in force ….and to give you a hefty fine as well.

Read the Cottage Guide

The manual I have at Osprey Cottage gives comprehensive instructions on the use of the campfire, where to find wood and how to extinguish it before going to bed. I hate having to underline or put words in bold as it seems I am shouting instructions, but this is so important it has to be read by all the rental group. It’s not just a matter of putting a match to some kindling – there are a whole range of precautions to take before you get to that point.

Prepare for the fire

Before you light a fire, make sure you are doing it in a designated location. Cottage properties are often in thickly wooded areas, with old trees that have extensive root systems; deep piles of dry pine needles, and other highly flammable objects. If the cottage does not have a fire pit, Chimnea, or other place that is designed for a fire, do not light one.  Make sure there is a bucket of water, or a hose connected to the water supply, close by.

Burn responsibly

Sitting by a gently crackling fire on a star filled and balmy night, is a magical part of the cottage experience, for all the family – and a great fire can be made with a few logs. It’s not necessary to pile the fire high with wood and have flames reaching high into the sky. Not only is this dangerous it is also environmentally damaging.

Use only the wood designated for the outdoor fire pit

Owners normally have their winter wood for indoor woodstoves or fireplaces stacked  in orderly rows around 8ft wide and 4ft high. This wood has been seasoned and dried and is pretty expensive. Even if it is not marked off as not to be used in outdoor campfires, assume this is the case. Only use the firewood that is designated as campfire wood, or forage for fallen branches. Never cut down trees or remove tree limbs to feed a fire. Most general stores in cottage country sell wood for campfires too so you shouldn’t run short.

Put that fire out!

There should always be a responsible person left to put the fire out at the end of the evening. I’ve seen it happen so often where the ones left telling rambling stories by the campfire are the ones who’ve put away the most beer. This can result in them shambling off to bed leaving a smouldering fire that can continue to spark through the night. Just remember the responsibility you have to the cottage owner, and to the rest of your family, to follow the campfire instructions.

Noise restrictions

It is generally expected in cottage country, that noise is reduced after 11pm. This means turning any music down, and holding back on the singing! Sound travels amazingly well around a lake, so it’s a simple courtesy to the neighbours to tone it down when it gets late.
And a reminder once again as we go into this holiday weekend; follow the fire restrictions posted, and do not light a fire if there is a fire ban. Neighbours are fiercely protective of their property, and are very likely to report you if you do.