Sand or water?

[tentmom]

What do you use to make sure your fire is completely out when you are done camping? I know some people pour water over the fire to put it out, but we usually use sand. I don’t know why, my parents always did so I continued it. Either would work I am sure. We only really put the fire out once and that is at the end of the trip, what about you?

[Refrigerator]

I use water then stir and more water.

[dinosaur]

I knew I'd find a reason why I carry a shovel and refrigerator doesn't. I use the shovel to dump dirt on the fire. Refrigerator can't do this because he doesn't carry a shovel.

Fridge, I love ya, but where do you get all that water?

[le Metis]

I use water....then return the area back to it's orginal condition leaving no sign that I was there

[Refrigerator]

Only time I have fires is when I am near water other wise I am above tree line. Almost every camp below tree line I have been at has had water Dino...if you have the experience you say then this would be easy to accomplish and find. If you would like a class on HOW TO FIND WATER then this is possible as I am prolly in and around where you live and could make it easy on you by you not traveling too far away from your stronghold. When using dirt you build your fire ring up to a mound thus scaring surrounding areas by digging with that shovel . What Le Metis said is exactly what should be done to those fire rings you build. Some of those fire rings I know have been there for many a year and those I generally leave but those I have made a new have been wiped off with no presence and never a shovel needed. Some of us know how to do this Dino.

I was surprised you had to find a reason to carry that shovel and did not mention before until now...hummmm

[le Metis]

I think the trick is knowing if you'll need a fire when out in the boonies. Above the tree line, and in desert enviroments my menus are planned around no camp fires since burnable material are generally lacking. A small backpacking stove works best for these areas
In National parks where government approved firerings are available, even here I keep fires small, drowning them out afterwards. However, for these I do leave a sign, two sticks with the bark removed to form a V and placed deep in the slurry. Should some yahoo start a forest fire, the V would be proof that it wasn't my fire......

[Bud]

If you eliminate heat, fuel or air, a fire will go out. Using water eliminates heat, sand or dirt eliminates air. Take your pick. Just make sure it's completely out when you leave, and you're good to go.

[tentmom]

Yeah I don't care what others really use either, its interesting to know why you all do what you do though. For some reason I think sand just works better. I feel safer to turn in for the night.

[BigBackyard]

We've always used soil too. It's abundant, it's not hard to find, it's effective and it doesn't really create any more mess. It was just the way that I was taught to do it.