Guidelines for Fire in your Camp

UPDATE FOR 2023: There will be no fires permitted in Open Camping. The property is wooded with dense brush. Only Theme Camps with approved fire safety arrangements will be allowed open fires.

FIRE IN YOUR CAMP

Constellation embraces Open Fire and Flame Effects which means we must act in a safe and responsible manner. The reality of a tent fire or a more serious situation arising from its misuse is a threat to the future of our event and participant safety.

OPEN FIRE WITHIN THEME CAMPS

FLAME EFFECTS AND LP GAS FLAMES WITHIN THEME CAMPS
Note: Camps that have open fire and/or flame effects and are receiving this notice are asked to check in with the Fire team at HQ.

OPEN FIRE WITHIN THEME CAMPS

  1. Burning of large art installations that when fully engulfed in flames, produces a tremendous amount of heat and requires a burn shield platform is not allowed in any camping area.
  2. No fire barrels or open fire shall be left unattended. This includes candles, tiki torches or any open flame. At least one camp member will be designated fire tender and be within visual distance at all times. If found unattended while lit, open flames or burn barrels may be extinguished and/or confiscated if there is sufficient hazard.
  3. If winds pick up, all open fire must be put out immediately and burn barrels must be extinguished if they begin to throw sparks.
  4. Open fire or burn barrels must be extinguished at the request of any Ranger or FRT personnel.
  5. A safety perimeter of one and a half times the height of the flame effect is required. A 15’ zone around the fire should be free of any flammable materials such as, but not limited to; cloth, paper, tents, plastic, etc.
  6. All liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel that are stored in camp must be kept at least 30’ away from any flame, ignition, or radiant heat.
  7. An ABC fire extinguisher (5lb minimum) is required for the Theme Camp. In addition, a supply of at least 5 gallons of water must be kept on hand to extinguish the fire in case of high winds (wind can blow embers and sparks a long distance down the ground!) or other hazards. These are both to be kept in a clearly marked location at least 15 feet from the flame effect.
  8. Burn barrels shall be secure and constructed in a way that the bottom surface is at least 6” from the ground to prevent baking or scarring of the ground surface.

FLAME EFFECTS AND PROPANE GAS FLAMES WITHIN THEME CAMPS

A Flame Effect is defined as any device that is automated, switched, pressurized or having any other action other than simply being lit on fire. See Guidelines for Flame Effects.

  1. No large-scale Flame Effects using 40 or more gallons of fuel. Burning of large art installations that when fully engulfed in flames produce a tremendous amount of heat requires a Burn Shield Platform.
  2. No pressurized liquid fuels are to be used within the camping area.
  3. Flame Effects shall be secured and constructed in a way that the burning surface is at least 6” from the ground  to prevent baking or scarring of the ground surface.
  4. All fuel lines are to be manufactured and rated for LP gas. Note: compressed air hoses are not an acceptable substitute for LP gas line and will not be approved.
  5. If winds pick up, all Flame Effects must be put out.
  6. Any towers or artwork that incorporates fire shall be secured from the wind and safety perimeter increased appropriately.
  7. Flame Effects must be extinguished at the request of any Ranger or FRT personnel.
  8. No Flame Effect shall be left unattended. At least one camp member will be designated fire effect operator and be within visual distance at all times. If found unattended while lit, flame effects may be extinguished and/or confiscated if there is sufficient hazard.
  9. A 15 foot zone around the Flame Effect must be free of any flammable materials such as but not limited to; cloth, paper, tents, plastic, etc
  10. An appropriate safe perimeter will be maintained at all times to prevent injury to participants.
  11. All fuel storage is to be identified type and amount on a site layout of the camp.

NOTE ON FIREWORKS

We all love a good fireworks show but the use within the camping area is a violation of common sense and safety. Sparks and fire could ignite flammables in the camps and be difficult to fight and dangerous to campers. As part of our event stipulations with landowner the use of ANY pyrotechnics that are not part of a pre-registered and approved art project is forbidden and may result in steep fines and or arrest and possible ejection from the event.

We’d like to credit Transformus, DaveX and others for their help with these guidelines.