How do you extinguish a campfire completely?

How do you extinguish a campfire completely?

• A. Douse with water, stir the ashes, feel for heat, and repeat until cold.
• B. Blow on the embers until they go out.
• C. Leave it to burn out on its own.
• D. Cover with a blanket and walk away.

Answer: (A)

To extinguish a campfire completely, you must remove the heat until nothing remains hot. Start by dousing the entire area with plenty of water, watching for steam and sizzling as the fire dampens. Then stir the ashes and any remaining coals so you expose all hidden hot spots, adding more water as needed. Finally, feel for heat by placing the back of your hand near the ashes (without touching). If you still sense warmth, repeat the dousing and stirring until the area is cold to the touch and looks damp and dead. This approach ensures every ember is cooled and no fuel remains burning. Blowing on embers can push sparks and may not extinguish hidden hot spots. Leaving it to burn out on its own risks hidden embers reigniting. Covering with a blanket can smother the fire but may trap heat or moisture and hide embers. The step-by-step water and stir method directly removes heat and verifies it’s out, which is why it’s the right choice.

To extinguish a campfire completely, you must remove the heat until nothing remains hot. Start by dousing the entire area with plenty of water, watching for steam and sizzling as the fire dampens. Then stir the ashes and any remaining coals so you expose all hidden hot spots, adding more water as needed. Finally, feel for heat by placing the back of your hand near the ashes (without touching). If you still sense warmth, repeat the dousing and stirring until the area is cold to the touch and looks damp and dead. This approach ensures every ember is cooled and no fuel remains burning.

Blowing on embers can push sparks and may not extinguish hidden hot spots. Leaving it to burn out on its own risks hidden embers reigniting. Covering with a blanket can smother the fire but may trap heat or moisture and hide embers. The step-by-step water and stir method directly removes heat and verifies it’s out, which is why it’s the right choice.