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To protect the environment, should all campers resolve to never have campfires?

Campfires pose a risk to the environment. The act of burning wood and other materials itself does do some harm. And then there is the risk of creating a forrest fire. So, would it be best that all campers refrain from having campfires unless its absolutely necessary for safety?

Public Comments

1. Do you know where the electricity that is powering your computer comes from? Here's a little quote for you from the US department of energy: "Coal is one of the true measures of the energy strength of the United States. One quarter of the world's coal reserves are found within the United States, and the energy content of the nation's coal resources exceeds that of all the world's known recoverable oil. Coal is also the workhorse of the nation's electric power industry, supplying more than half the electricity consumed by Americans." Coal supplies MORE THAN HALF of the electricity in the US. And you're complaining about a few campfires?
2. Actually I think the Department of Agriculture or the US Forest Service should install large plexiglass soundproof boxes in the woods, so we can go and sit in them and not have any interaction with the environment at all. Oh, and that's for safety as well. Can;t be too safe!
3. Hey, see if you enviro-idiots are as serious as this one: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAlexJonesChannel#p/u/0/ldrDTlld-SU
4. Campfires do little damageto the environment. Besides, what is camping without a campfire? :P
5. Compared to how much countries like China and Japan are polluting the environment, it'd make little difference. Sure there would be some improvement, but other then that, zip, nada. Besides, what is camping without a good campfire?
6. in areas where there is a risk of creating a forest fire, or on really hot days, usually there is already a total fire ban. in some camping places a fire is necessary to cook or to keep warm. many campers do opt for a metho trangia to cook with simply for convenience (and also the fire bans) i'm not sure if you were referring to the greenhouse effect when you said "the act of burning wood and other materials itself does do some harm" but the contribution campfires have on the greenhouse effect is really nothing to be concerned over. people trying to reduce the greenhouse effect should look to industry and start making tougher rules there. campfires generally have minimal impact on the immediate environment when managed correctly. and it seems they are a part of camping culture. i don't think cessation of campfires would have any great benefit as they are at present posing no risk when managed in correct areas. what needs to happen is for campers to be well educated about minimal impact camping to begin with. they need to carry food without packaging and stick to trails.