Top tips to help prevent human-caused wildfires
Contact Information: Colleen Mainville colleen.mainville@usda.gov
Campton, NH, August 28, 2025— As we prepare for Labor Day weekend, the White Mountain National Forest encourages everyone to help prevent human-caused fires with a few helpful tips while visiting.
Nationally, 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans, including half of all wildfires on national forests. To help prevent human-caused wildfires:
Leave fireworks at home
Fireworks are never permitted on the White Mountain National Forest.
Keep vehicle safety in mind
Do not drive or park on dry grass. Hot exhaust pipes or sparks can start a fire.
When pulling a trailer, be sure safety chains and other metal parts aren’t hanging from your vehicle – loose chains can drag and cause sparks.
Drown your campfire
Where campfires are allowed, choose a site with an existing fire ring. Fire rings in established campgrounds are the best spots. If you choose to build a campfire clear the site down to bare soil and avoid building it near shrubs or trees and be aware of low-hanging branches overhead. Store unused firewood a good distance from the fire.
Never leave a fire unattended and make sure your fire is ‘dead out’ and cold to the touch before leaving your campsite. Use the drown, stir, feel method when extinguishing your campfire. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
Never build a campfire in an unauthorized area or in an area that is under fire restrictions. Find information on fire restrictions at: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/b71836fa3vyeqizlj06x7wkhxli46phg Consider alternatives to a campfire such as a camp stove.
Smoke Responsibly
Follow all posted restrictions. Never discard cigarette butts on the ground or in vegetation. Fully extinguish cigarette butts before throwing them away.
Know before you go
Check online or with the nearest ranger station about any fire restrictions or closures that might be in place before leaving home. To learn more about campfire safety visit www.smokeybear.com.
For more information on regulations for the White Mountain National Forest please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain.