A campfire should burn only while someone is awake and actively supervising it. Do not keep a fire smoldering overnight while you sleep. If you want a longer evening around the fire, plan your fuel and shutdown time together.
Use Dry Fuel and a Manageable Fire
Use dry, seasoned firewood that suits the fire ring or fire pit. Add wood gradually and keep the fire within the permitted size. There is no reliable rule that turns a log’s diameter into a guaranteed number of burning hours.
Keep Airflow Around the Wood
Arrange the fuel so air can reach it, following the fire pit’s instructions. Do not pack the bowl to extend burn time or create a fire larger than the equipment and location allow. Check current wind conditions and fire restrictions before lighting.
Do Not Bank the Fire With Ash
Covering embers with ash can keep them hot. It does not make the fire safe to leave. Do not add random rocks to store heat or use an improvised overnight-burning method.
Choose a Shutdown Time Before Bed
Stop adding wood early enough to complete the shutdown while everyone is still awake. For a campsite fire, follow the site’s instructions and use enough water to extinguish the embers, stirring and repeating until everything is cold. For a manufactured fire pit, follow its specific shutdown instructions and remain present until the fire and embers are fully extinguished and cool.
A snuffer lid does not make embers instantly cold. Do not leave just because flames are no longer visible. If you cannot stay to supervise a fire through shutdown, do not start it.
Reference: National Park Service: Campfire Safety and Extinguishing a Fire.
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