Student Resource: Fire Safety and Fire Building - Self-Check (intermediate)

1. Identify 5 of the steps you should take to be safe around a fire.

stay at least 3 big steps away from the fire

don’t put anything but wood and paper wrapping on the fire

reach over the fire ring to add wood to the fire if it’s getting low

keep anything like your clothes away from the fire

make sure the fire is put out with lots of water

don’t have a fire if it’s windy out

never leave a fire unattended

have a container of water near the fire

2. Place a checkmark on the line to show 4 things you should do before you start the fire.

go for a swim

make sure there are no fire bans in the area

collect the wood for your fire as shown by the teacher

clear a 3 meters (10 feet) area of any twigs or other things that could catch on fire

have a water supply ready near the fire before you light it to douse it quickly if needed

3. Describe the 3 kinds of wood fuel used for a fire in the woods.

4. Identify the order of the steps in building a fire in the woods.

arrange stones in a ring around the space where you will build the fire - use existing ones if you can

ignite the tinder then the kindling

gather the wood for the fire

arrange the wood in the fire pit; use cone or teepee, or log cabin structure with tinder in the centre

5. How do you make sure that your fire is fully extinguished?

6. Why should an adult always carry matches or a lighter when on a hike or camping?

7. What 3 safety words should you remember so you know what to do if a campfire spark gets on your clothing?

Answers:

Question 1: Check all except “don’t put anything but wood and paper wrappings on the fire” and “Reach over the fire ring to add wood to the fire if it’s getting low”.

Question 2: Check all except for “go for a swim”.

Question 3: 3 Kinds of Fuel: Tinder is twigs, dried brush; kindling is small pieces of dead wood or driftwood that will burn quickly; fuel is the logs or larger wood that will burn longer.

Question 4:

Step 1 - arrange stones in a ring around the space where you will build the fire - use existing ones if you can.
Step 2 - gather the wood for the fire.
Step 3 - arrange the wood in the fire pit; use cone or teepee, or log cabin structure with tinder in the centre.
Step 4 - ignite the tinder then the kindling.

Question 5: Make sure the ashes are cold and there are no burning embers or smoking coming from it.

Question 6: Carrying matches in a watertight container and/or a lighter is an important measure so they always have a way of sparking the fire.

Question 7: “Stop, Drop and Roll”.