Wind can carry sparks beyond a fire pit and change direction without warning. If conditions are windy or gusty, postpone the fire. Keeping a flame going is less important than keeping embers away from people, buildings and vegetation.
Check Conditions Before Lighting
Check the forecast, local burn restrictions and the instructions for your fire pit. Do not light a fire during a burn ban or in conditions that could carry embers into nearby combustible materials. There is no single wind-speed limit that makes every fire pit and location safe.
Keep the Fire Pit in an Approved Location
Choose a level, noncombustible location with the required clearance from buildings, fences, furniture and vegetation. Do not move the pit closer to your house or into trees to shelter it from the wind. Never move a burning or hot fire pit.
Do Not Use People or Tarps as Windbreaks
Standing around the bowl to block wind brings people closer to heat and sparks. A tarp, blanket or improvised fabric barrier adds combustible material near the fire. Neither is a safe workaround for unsuitable weather.
Know the Limits of Screens and Lids
A correctly fitted spark screen can help contain escaping embers, but it does not make windy conditions safe. A snuffer lid is a shutdown accessory, not a way to continue burning in wind. Use only accessories intended for your model; a similar-sized grill lid is not an approved substitute.
Stay Through Shutdown
If wind picks up, stop adding fuel and follow the manufacturer’s shutdown instructions. Keep suitable extinguishing equipment ready and continue supervising the fire. Neither the absence of visible flame nor a lid over the bowl proves that the embers are cold. Do not leave or go to bed while the fire or embers remain hot. If a fire spreads beyond your control, move everyone to safety and call 911.
Safety reference: U.S. Fire Administration: Wildfire and Outdoor Fire Safety. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions and applicable local requirements.
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