How to make the most of your camping trip amid campfire bans

Without roasting marshmallows over the crackling campfire, is it really even camping?

As wildfires continue to pose a threat over much of Canada, Saskatchewan is looking at another summer full of campfire bans.

According to Canadian wilderness guide and author Kevin Callan, there are still many ways to make the most of your camping trip even without having a fire in your campsite.

“I came back from a camping trip just yesterday and we got those LED candles and put them in the campfire pit and we just sang songs and swatted mosquitoes,” said Callan. “It wasn’t the same but we were out, at least.”

Under no circumstances can people bring their own fire source when a ban is in place, said Callan. He advises that if people absolutely need to bring one, it needs to run on propane or butane only. It also must have a valve that can quickly shut the fire on and off.

For cooking, Callan suggests a propane stove instead of a charcoal barbecue. He says they actually work better to cook your hot dogs instead of a campfire because there’s less of a chance that you’ll burn your food.

Even as an experienced wilderness guide, Callan says he’s having trouble keeping mosquitoes away without a fire. Despite that, he’s not letting them get him down.

“It’s all mindset. Mosquitoes and blackflies, especially mosquitoes and deer flies too, they actually find you by your C02 emissions (and) by your heat,” said Callan. “So the more frenzied you get, the more crazy you get about the bugs (because) they come to you.”

He advises people to bring a bug shelter if the mosquitoes are especially bad. Mosquitoes are only really bad at night, said Callan.

He advises people to wear light-coloured clothes to avoid mosquitoes. Dark blue jeans, black shirts and any prominently darker clothes will attract mosquitoes.

For people looking to wear natural deterrent scents to combat nasty mosquitoes, Callan suggests scents with citronella, nutmeg and cinnamon. For regular drug store repellent, he says the classic Deep Woods spray will go a long way.

Although campfire bans may put a damper on campers’ plans, Callan wants to remind people that the bans are in place for a reason. Wildfires are running rampant and are extremely dangerous.

If campers come across one themselves, Callan has safety tips for people to follow.

“Remove yourself from the area. Get in an open area,” said Callan. “Don’t go running up a hill because fires actually go quicker going up a hill.”

He also advises people to take off nylon or synthetic clothing if encountering a fire because any embers that touch the clothing will melt it upon contact.