Backcountry fires

Norman MacLeod said...
>Yes, there are times when wood fires are acceptable. This is generally in areas
>where the use levels are fairly low and the climate amenable to rapid
>>replacement of hte wood used. Wood ought to be collected from the ground,
>since >these areas tend to have enough dead wood that cutting from trees
>is not >necessary.

I'd tend to disagree. Backcountry fires not only consume wood, but scar and
sterilze the ground. Inevitably campers proliferate their fire sites,
rather than concentrating on one fire ring. Philmont uses established metal
fire rings (when there isn't a drought) which seems a reasonable step in
high traffic areas. Certainly, there may be emergency situations where a
fire is appropriate, but I'd teach our guys not to depend on them, and to
respect the principles of low impact camping.

...Doug Gentry

__________________________________
Doug Gentry - dwgentry@polarconsult.com
510-654-1837 fax: 510-654-3706
ASM - Troop 1 - Piedmont, Calif.
Jamboree Committee Chairman - Piedmont Council
Somewhat mangy Buffalo (twice! - CS & BS)
Jambo97 List Akela

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