A treat for the senses, but a hazard for the beautiful nature of Dalmatia.
Providing heat, light and some extra cosiness, campfires are a beloved part of every camping trip. However, they can also pose a threat for eager campers, as well as the beautiful nature that provides such a perfect backdrop for around-the-fire storytelling. Here are some reasons why building fires in the wilderness is a bad idea.
1. Wildfire hazard
Campfire is hard to control and, in worst cases, can escape, spread and turn into horrific wildfires. Even if built in a camping firepit, it’s never 100% safe, because strong winds can easily carry embers that land in dry leaves, then start another fire.
This is especially dangerous in hot Mediterranean areas such as Dalmatia, where wildfires spread almost every summer, destroying the immense natural beauty. You can help restore some of the damage by participating in the Boranka forest restoration project! Simply plant your virtual tree and the Scout Association will plant a real one in the burnt area.
2. Damaging the soil
When building campfires, keep in mind that fire inevitably chars the ground and damages the tree roots hidden in it. The damage done to the soil might not seem huge, but take into account that there are numerous other people also building fires, and a lot of them try to burn their trash in the campfire, which leaves the soil full of toxic chemicals.
3. Tree damage from gathering fuel
Campers usually use sticks and dead tree branches as fuel for their campfire, forgetting that dead logs can be a habitat for insects, birds, and other smaller animals. When those are not enough, people oftentimes chop smaller trees even though they’re too green to burn. Forests can take long to regenerate, and even a small scar such as a few chopped down trees can become a problem.
4. Ruining the beauty of nature
Even if you follow all the safety rules, look after the campfire and manage to extinguish it without spreading to the nearby area, the fact remains that you’re leaving debris and blackened soil in that one spot where you built your fireplace. If the area is really popular with campers, the number of old campfire spots grows and can quickly turn a once beautiful terrain into charred soil. Leaving a place equally as beautiful as you’ve found it is a rewarding feeling, and is gracious to future visitors!
5. There are alternatives
Instead of using campfire for cooking, try preparing your food with a portable stove. It’s much simpler and efficient, since building a fire and then cooking on it takes quite some time. This will leave you with more time to enjoy looking at the magnificent night sky filled with stars, even more visible without the light of a campfire.
Another option is choosing a place with all the amenities you need, such as Camping Village Šimuni. The camp has 2 grill parks with plenty of already set up barbecues that visitors can use free of charge.
If the weather is chilly and you’re planning on using fire as a source of heat, there are also other options to consider. Choosing a good tent and sleeping bag is already half the battle, and there are many tips and tricks on how to stay warm during fall and winter camping.
You can enjoy fire without the hazard — simply book your stay at Camping Village Šimuni and enjoy the giant fire shows included in our special Fire Wednesday event. If you decide to spend your 2020 vacation in Šimuni, we’re happy to say that you can get up to 15% off your next stay. Keep in mind that the price calculator on our website doesn’t show discounted prices, so please send us a request to get a special offer.