Fire, safe heat, and carbon monoxide

Use flame only when legal and controllable, and never trade cold exposure for smoke or carbon monoxide poisoning.

General field reference, not medical advice. Use it to support immediate decisions, then follow 911, rescue coordinators, medical professionals, current warnings, and local agency guidance.

Act now

1. Check current fire restrictions and wind before lighting anything.

2. Use a stove or existing legal fire site when conditions permit.

3. Keep flame away from dry vegetation, roots, tents, fuel, and clothing.

4. Extinguish completely before leaving or sleeping.

5. Move everyone to fresh air and call 911 if carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected.

Fire is not always the right solution

Fire can provide warmth, light, signaling, water treatment, and morale. It can also cause wildfire, burns, smoke injury, or carbon monoxide poisoning. In dry or windy conditions, insulation and shelter may be safer than an open flame.

Follow current restrictions and local rules. A survival concern does not make an unsafe fire controllable. If a legal fire is used, keep it small and within immediate control. Clear combustible material only where allowed and avoid roots or organic soil that can smolder underground.

Build reliability before size

Prepare extinguishing water and tools before ignition. Organize tinder, progressively larger fuel, and a protected ignition source. Use dry wood that can be collected legally. Do not pour gasoline or other volatile fuel onto a fire.

Maintain one clear job for the fire. A small cooking or warming flame is easier to manage than a large signal fire. Keep synthetic clothing, sleeping bags, and shelters far enough away to prevent melting or ignition.

Extinguish completely

Drown the fire when water is available, stir, add more water, and confirm the remains are cold to the touch. Do not bury hot coals, which can continue smoldering. If the fire cannot be made cold, it is not out.

Carbon monoxide has no warning odor

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Sleeping people may not recognize symptoms.

If exposure is possible:

1. Move everyone into fresh air without entering an unsafe space.

2. Call 911 or activate emergency help.

3. Do not reenter until professionals say it is safe.

4. Do not assume feeling better in fresh air means medical evaluation is unnecessary.

Never use a camp stove, charcoal grill, generator, or vehicle engine to heat an enclosed sleeping area.