#OnlyYou Safe Camping, Safe Adventures
Written By: Sarah Reish
There are a lot of safety measures that we hear, but they are important. From wildlife to fire safety. We are always being reminded how to be safe while enjoying outdoor adventures. Here are a few safety tips we think are important. But before you judge us for being repetitive check out these wildfire statistics.
Wildfires
Did you know that the Nation Interagency Fire Center documented an average of 70,000 wildfires annually! With that many wildfires going on I don’t think we could over state fire safety to people. Some of it seems like common sense, but how can we prevent these fires if people keep ignoring or blowing off the safety notices?
Andrew Rossi shares “In 2020, 828 wildfires burned 339,783 acres in Wyoming – and 85.4% of that lost acreage came from human-caused fires.”
In 2019 87% of wildfires were caused by humans.
So, what do we do? We know that in dry seasons wildfires are more susceptible. This is when notices go up and fire bans happen in campgrounds. For all of the other times when we can’t count on fire warnings let’s just take it back to the basics.
Fire Safety
Enter Smokey Bear, our nostalgic lovable bear who, since the 1940’s, has been reminding us that we are the only one’s who can prevent wildfires. From visiting our classrooms in school to summer camps and even the commercials that took place during hot summer days, he was there a part of our youth. We loved him then and we love him now. Did you know his marketing campaigns offer more than how to properly put out fires? Check it out!
This first video shows us Smokey Bear knows that campfires are an important part of the camping experience. Be sure to check your area for fires, burn bans and or restrictions and always use a fire pit, keeping it 15 feet away from tents and trees.
This second video shows that putting out fires properly is an important step in closing out a great camping experience.
Let’s keep it safe this year
The last few years have been dry and smokey because of the amount of fires across the west. So, let's make this year different. We have a wetter season and we have you, two promising factors in our favor. This makes all the difference. Be smart and be safe. Spread the word and remember it's not just campfires that cause wildfires. Here are other human caused ways wildfires can happen
Fireworks
Hot engines and pipes from vehicles on dry grass
Human negligence (miscellaneous)
#OnlyYou
We want to promote a safe camping season and we want you to both join us and share it with us. Post your campfire photos on social media and tag us, @LiveWYldMag and use hashtags #LiveWYld and #OnlyYou