Fire Safety
The best way to prepare your property for secure campfires
Fire is a dangerous element that can lead to serious issues if safety precautions aren't taken. It is up to each of us to do our part to ensure that campfires are enjoyed safely given the growing concern regarding wildfires in recent years. ‘AWTY’ takes this issue very seriously and would like to encourage our Hosts to keep stressing these safety prerequisites and to make sure that your properties are prepared for secure campfires. We know how much you already care about fire safety, so please share any advice you may have. Write to AWTY with any tips you have that have made visitors enjoy safe campfires on your property or that you've shared with AWTY Users; we'll include them in this Journal post and any pertinent support materials.
Know the rules
Never permit a campfire on your property if your council forbids them.
Avoid starting fires on your property if there is a temporary fire ban in effect in your area (Please check Total Fire Bans & Fire Danger Ratings | CFA (Country Fire Authority). As a HOST, you MUST inform all guests with upcoming reservations of the ban so that they are aware of the situation and do not show up expecting to have a campfire.
Communicate with AWTY customers
If you're a meet-and-greet host, go over specific fire safety expectations with your AWTY customers as soon as they arrive on your property.
If you are a Host who directs AWTY customers to their campsite, go over specific fire safety expectations via AWTY Messages prior to their arrival.
Assist AWTY Customers in burning local wood by providing it on-site or pointing out locations where they can do so nearby.
Create a secure area for campfires
Provide a medium size fire ring to assist AWTY customers in maintaining a fire that is both manageable and reasonable in size.
Keep brush that might catch fire from a stray spark away from the fire pit.
If you want to keep sparks inside your fire pit, think about supplying a mesh lid.
Print out and keep at each of your campsites a copy of our campfire safety guide.
Consult your local fire department for advice on how to safely use fire pits and campfires in your area.
Ensure that the campfire are completely out
At each location, leave a shovel and a 15 litre bucket.
If you have water available on your property, let AWTY customers know where it is. It can be very helpful to have wayfinding signs!
If you don't have water available on your property, tell AWTY customers to bring their own.
Top Tips
We realise this is a lot of information, but here are our top 5 suggestions for recreation and hosting in a responsible manner. We appreciate your efforts to practice fire safety.
Recreate Sustainably
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Prior to your visit, confirm that you are aware of the host's rules by checking the local fire restrictions and speaking with them
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Use the fire pit if there is one there already; if not, please ask your AWTY Host before building your own
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No tents, chairs, hammocks, brush, or other obstructions should be present within 3 meters of your campfire (check to make sure nothing flammable is hanging above your fire)
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Always have a responsible adult with you
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Use water to completely put out your fire. Always keep in mind that if something is too hot to touch, it is also too hot to leave.
Host responsibly
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Maintain the accuracy of your listing by regularly checking local fire restrictions
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Create a designated fire pit in a clear space away from dangling branches and at least 3 metres from anything flammable (trees, brush, glamping tent, etc.)
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Make sure your fire pit is secure and installed in accordance with regional best practices, and speak with your local fire department
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Try to ensure that your AWTY customers "burn it where they buy it," think about selling local firewood
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To ensure that AWTY customers have the equipment necessary to put out fires safely and completely, give them a bucket of water and a shovel.