Despite repeated warnings from police and firefighters, some people insist on flinging flammable substances such as gasoline on their campfires to hasten burning. It’s a recipe for painful disaster. The latest public warnings came from Squamish RCMP after three people were injured March 4 when someone poured gas on a bonfire in Brackendale, B.C.
About two weeks later on March 16, area Brackendale police responded to reports of paint thinner again being poured on an open fire on Lewis Drive. Two people were seriously hurt. One man is still in critical condition after the container burst into flames.
Later that same day, a girl suffered extensive burns after accelerant was poured on a campfire in yet again in Brackendale, yet again igniting the container.
“Pouring flammable liquids on burning fires may seem like an inconsequential event, but this action can create extreme fire conditions which may cause excruciating burns and possible disfigurement,” said Squamish Fire Chief Bill Stoner.
“The consequences could stay with a person for life; it’s not worth it.”
What’s with these people? Do they all have a death wish? Can’t read warning labels?
Starting a campfire in damp weather or with wet wood can take a while, but at least once the fire is going you can enjoy it. Not so if you end up burned taken to hospital by ambulance, treated with painkillers, hands wrapped in bandages, and perhaps facing weeks of treatments to remove burned dead flesh and skin.
If the burns are deep tendons and circulation can be compromised so the person ends with a claw hand, awkward at best, too weak to reliably wield tools. All from being in a hurry to enjoy one’s campfire building skills.
I learned not to use accelerants on a backyard fire one spring when I was tidying up. Lawn was still wet enough to be safe from a runaway fire. That dampness meant torching raked grass and twigs demanded patience. Instead I flung a small amount of accelerant toward my intended fire from what I thought was a safe distance. I was wrong. With breathtaking speed flames arced along the path of the accelerant back to the open can in my hand. Had I spilled any accelerant on me I would have been a flaming torch.
I’ve never lit a backyard fire since. Instead, depending upon the amount of dried leaves and grass, I haul accumulated debris to the landfill or let it compost in the backyard.
I’m at a loss to understand why the experiences of others can’t be taken at face value. Why must we duplicate conditions for ourselves? If someone tells me river ice is too thin to safely walk on, I’ll take that as fair warning and stay on shore. I’m not about to inch out farther and farther to test whether or not it’s so.
Or ATV riders are warned that creeks during spring runoff could be dangerous as logs and other debris floating down could upset the machine and you’ll drown. But do riders listen? Some do. Not all. And once again Search and Rescue is called upon to put themselves at risk rescuing some dimwit from a rushing creek.
In all, in that single March week, seven people from the Brackendale area ended in hospital and I’m willing to bet they never did get to enjoy their accelerated campfire. Instead they suffered painful burns, maybe lost their eyebrows and eyelashes and a whole lot more. They also ruined a get-together with family and friends. Let’s hope everyone gained some respect for safety warnings repeated annually by RCMP and firefighters.