There’s been an ongoing discussion around the campfire for the past week. The “campfire vs. open windows feud” has potential to ruin two RVers’ camping experience. An RVer I’ll call “Campfires” likes to have a fire every evening. There’s another RV family that likes to keep their RV windows open. I’ll call them “Windows.”
The problem
These two RVers are parked back-to-back in our campground. Windows’ RV sits downwind from Campfires’ RV. And there’s the problem. You see, smoke from the nightly “s’mores-fest” drifts directly into Windows’ windows. (Following so far?) Campfires doesn’t want to give up his nightly ritual. It’s their right to have a fire. Windows doesn’t want to run the air conditioner when the outside air is nice and cool. But they can’t stand the smoke coming into their RV. They believe that Campfires should be more considerate.
I understand both points of view
I like s’mores as much as the next guy (or gal). Actually, I like them so much that I wrote a whole article on s’mores hacks. Sitting around a campfire just listening to the wood sap snap is a true joy. What’s better than watching the fire burst into sparks that twinkle in the nighttime sky? Or scootching close to the cheery warmth? It’s quintessential camping. A Norman Rockwell painting.
On the other hand, I don’t appreciate damp wood that continually smokes as it burns. Some folks have health issues when breathing smoke, as well. I can understand Windows’ point. It’s frustrating to close up the RV’s windows just as the night air cools. I appreciate the angst of listening to the groaning of an air conditioner. All. Night. Long.
So what to do?
Both parties are adults and should be able to work something out. But so far, Windows continues to smolder, and Campfires has completely closed down communication about the problem.
Any suggestions? Where do you stand on the campfire vs. open window feud? Share your ideas in the comments below, please.
##RVT1048
That’s problem with campfires in closely packed Rv sites! There should be park rules to address this otherwise if smokey doesn’t stop the fires after request by window. Windows likely will need to move sites.
Been there done that.
A simple agreement might be compromise. An “every other day” sort of thing. Tell campfire ill even buy a load of wood on campfire days, he he gives me smoke free every other day. especially If it was a MEDICAL condition with windows against smoke.
Can the fire ring be moved? Can the windows on that side of the camper be closed?
One idea might be for some parks to offer “campfire free zones”. Specified on their website so those who hate fires can reserve spots far away from them.
I suggest that “Campfire” get a “Solo Stove” “smokeless” fire pit.
https://tinyurl.com/2s3ycsv4
Some campgrounds where I have stayed mandate that all campfires must be completely extinguished at a certain time. And as much as “traditionalists” may complain, propane fire pits do not produce smoke. Consideration for others, no matter where you stand on this issue, should be the guiding factor.
I once stayed at an RV park that didn’t allow open fires at campsites. They had a large community fire pit set far enough away from the trailers as not to bother anyone. They also provided the wood.
I want to tell you, Gail, that your campfire segments are my favorite. I look forward to reading it every week.
Thanks, Lauri. Happy travelling (and reading)!
“We’re all in this together”….
My wife and I were camping near Capital Reef some years ago. Wanting to enjoy the evening with the crackle if a campfire, and having a fire ring at our site, I proceeded to lay a small fire. We like to keep our fires small and we always, in the day, carried very dry fire wood with us.
As I lit the fire I noticed that the breeze was drifting the smoke toward our neighbor’s Trillium trailer. I quickly spread it out and doused it. My wife and I, silently, enjoyed the stars that night.
The next morning an older couple emerged from the Trillium. She made eye-contact with me and said, “Thank you!”.
I will never forget this experience,
Thanks for your consideration and kindness. The world would be a far better place with more people like you!
Nice jesture in deed. However, most are of the Cousin Eddy variety, and dont think in the cordial sense as you did.
Had a recent experience as you described, tenters, just wanting to enjoy a fire before climbing in their tent for the night. Thought good for them, and closed the windows.
And keep your stick on the ice.
What wonderful, considerate, thoughtful people you and your wife are, George. Thank you! Take care, and Happy Easter. 😀 –Diane
I purchased a Solostove for this very reason. It’s smoke free!
we have a solo stove as well, they are fantastic!
This is exactly why we carry a propane “campfire”.
After much debate between myself and s’mores loving family I went with the propane fire pit. No crackling fire but also no burn holes in chairs or shorts. Great choice for our family.
I understand why people want fires, but for us with asthma, smoke from wood fires can ruin our camping experience. For some the total experience must include wood fires; we get that. However, we wish for the day when folks would recognize wood fires are generally bad for the environment and that it’s somewhat selfish to assume other campers 15 feet away want to enjoy their “experience.” With gas fire pits being relatively inexpensive these days, they seem a better alternative all around.
Try boondocking instead!
We are full timers and I also have asthma. Campfires not only limit our opportunity to open our windows but limit sitting outside and enjoying the campground. We stayed at one campground where the same camper lit his campfire at 4:00 pm everyday until 9:00 – not to use it for cooking just to sit around it! We were stuck there for 3 months as it was our winter site. We’ve now moved to another campground for next winter where no fires are allowed.
The objection I have to campfires is when campers turn in and let the fire smolder all night, making it impossible to leave windows open while sleeping. Several times we have been awakened, choking and gasping as a neighbor’s campfire left unattended drifts smoke downwind into our motorhome. Aside from the potential for fire danger it is a matter of courtesy. Why can’t people think beyond their own little bubble these days?
Thinking beyond your own needs has gone out of fashion for some. I hate wood campfires. Never do it, hate being near one.
SO THEN, I HAVE A SOLUTION-STAY HOME.
Hi, John. Please turn off the all caps. Thank you. Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane
Thanks….you were kinder than my unwritten thoughts.
We cherish the nights we can have the windows open with no smoke. I understand the need for fires for the weekenders to have camping experience but I dread being next to them. A way for all of us to live together might be not to have a fire ring at every camp site. Instead, have several communal fire rings away from the most of the camp sites. Until that time, I ask that people put their fire out completely so they don’t smoke all night or start a big fire.
Nobody sitting around a campfire is going to sit downwind of the smoke.
We use a fan in the bedroom facing us. It keeps the smoke out of the open windows and adds white noise to the talking. We find the voices are sometimes worse than the smoke. We do love a campfire too but ensure it’s completely out when heading inside for the evening. We also have the propane fire ring and love the community fire pit.
We camp frequently, and notice that most frequent campers have only occasional campfires. For example, we’ll have a campfire when family is camping with us, but rarely when it is just the two of us. We enjoy the occasional campfire but do not enjoy the smoke, so we douse the campfire after an hour or two. I believe the campers who have nightly fires are infrequent campers, possibly afraid of the dark and not interested in stargazing, build fires just because that’s what they have always done when camping, without putting much thought into it. For example, during California’s wildfire season we and many others head to the coast to get away from the smoke, to then be breathing the thick smoke from our neighbor’s campfires! I don’t understand the smoldering campfires some people light when they wake up, and keep going throughout daylight hours. It doesn’t help when campgrounds view firewood as an important revenue source, constantly asking if you want to buy one of their tiny $8 bundles.
Sorry, but we camp very frequently and I almost always have a fire going. I prefer to cook over an open wood fire and do most of the cooking when we camp.
A wood fire, properly built with dry wood will smoke very little. If you heap the fire with unburned wood, yes it will smoke until the newly added wood reaches kindling temperature. Wet or green wood will smoke regardless.
All fires will smoke some, but most of what I see is poor fire management.
One of the big attractions for many is the campfire. Smoke drifts throughout the campground so if its not the adjacent site its a couple sites down, up or across. The are folks who go camping to prepare meals at the firepit not just smores. I don’t think it reasonable for someone to expect a smoke free campground.
THEY ARE THE FOLKS THAT RUIN IT OR GETS THE LAWS CHANGED. JUST LIKE THE 10 YEAR OLD RV LAW.
Stop yelling!
Camp fires should be banned every where as far as I’m concerned. People just can’t be trusted to take care of them properly. You can still roast hotdogs and make s’mores over one of the neat small propane fire pits that are now available.
Campfires are part of the experience. Just stay home if it’s a MAJOR problem for you!!!
CAMPER man you da man. ✌
Sounds to me that some people go camping to find something to complain about?
Stay home and use your porta fire on your patio!
Without a campfire, it’s not camping. It’s just parking your mobile home somewhere.
Being in a Mobile home is not camping. It’s taking your tiny home to the woods. Camping is in a tent on the ground with no heat etc where you need a fire to stay warm. If your in a motor home or trailer you ain’t camping, your glamping. Respect others rights too.
Oh my aching biscuits..glad Im not camping with you.lol✌
Jeez Bob, stay home and use your propane fire in your back yard. I agree that in a RV park, campfires may cause an issue since most of the parks resemble a sardine can with campers packed together BUT in a state park with good spacing, give it a rest…
STAY HOME.
I’ve been camping my entire life and this is honestly the first time I’ve ever heard this debate. I’ve always just thought of campfires and smoke as part of the camping experience. Maybe full timers would think differently but I’ve never even considered my fire or anyone else’s a problem as long as it’s fully extinguished before bed (don’t want the campground to burn down).
Yes..please never let me get old..✌
WHY? SENIOR CITIZENS ARE NOT THE PROBLEM.
We camped at Hickory Run S. P. In eastern Pennsylvania. We did not have a campfire, the smoke was dense. The smoke was so thick it set off our smoke detector.
I’ve been in campgrounds where nearly everyone had a fire, there was no wind, and it was life-threatening. No thank you.
Same as cig. smoke. Campfire sections and non campfire section.
+1 Part of the problem is the uncured wood sold at campground. A wood stove forum recommends not buying oak until it has been cured for at least three years. Unless it has been kiln dried (and maybe not then), no campground wood meets that standard that will minimize smoke.
Where there is camping there is fires that just the facts folks
I SEE, POOR RV CAMPERS TO THE LEFT, SUPER WELL OFF FANCY RVS TO THE RIGHT. US OLDER RIG RV CAMPERS ARE ALREADY BEING PUSHED TO THE CRAPPIER RV SITES, WHILE FANCY RIG RV’ERS GET PREMIUM SITES. THE LAST 18 MONTHS OF THIS PANDEMIC HAS PUSHED US OLDER RIGS TO THE CURBS, ESPECIALLY THAT SILLY 10 YEAR OLD RV RULE.
We like campfires also, but we don’t like smoke permeating our rig. No matter how dry the wood is, I have never seen a wood fueled fire that did not put out smoke. In my opinion there is no fair solution.
My pet peeve is the camper who lets their campfire smolder. Daytime or night, it is annoying. Hot fires do not smoke as much. When you are not attending the fire it should be put out
Smokey T Bear
Windows should move, I don’t like a lot of smoke but I feel he has the right to a fire.
Move to where? Most all RV parks are full! Yes we that do not like smoke drifting into our RV are at a disadvantage when someone uses their right to have a campfire however I do have a right to breath clean air. Smoke will quickly give me a coughing fit that can last for hours and has sent me to the hospital. A few months ago we were in an RV park in Las Vegas that had signs and also written in their welcome pamphlet that campfires were banned. Someone a row away and several spots down decided that they wanted one. It just about sent me to the hospital! I did approached the people with the campground rules and they did put it out.
Yeah agree.✌
Some people buy a RV to go “camping”–they’re likely to want a fire.
Many of us don’t go camping, we go RVing. We may be using the campground as a base to explore the area or just a pit stop on a journey. Most of us in this group don’t want to put up with smoke when we come back to the campground to sleep after eating dinner at a restaurant.
Put up windows and put on ac, fan, or heat.
AGAIN, YOUR GROUP IS RUINING CAMPING FOR US RV’ERS THAT GO CAMPING! WE COOK OUTSIDE, WE BBQ OUTSIDE, WE JOKE AROUND OUR WOOD CAMPFIRES, SMOKING OUR CIGARETTES, AND DRINKING A BEER, OR COLD SODA POP, AFTER ARRIVING BACK TO OUR RVS, AFTER A FUN AND LONG DAY OF FISHING. PLUS, MOST OF US LEAVES OUR WINDOWS OPEN, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, AND REALLY DON’T APRECIATE LISTENING TO 2 NOISY ROOFTOP AIR CONDITIONERS, RUNNING ON HIGH ALL NIGHT LONG!
Our camping group uses propane campfires most of the time now. When everyone in a campground is burning wood – and some folks insist on it nearly 24-7, it makes the air quality throughout the park unbearable. In parts of the west where we live, fires have been out of control at times driving us out of our homes and neighborhoods. Trying to camp with smoke filled air is a reminder of that terrifying experience of almost losing everything, too. And there’s nothing healthy about wood smoke. Look up its connection to lung diseases and cancers sometime – it’s scary. I think we’ll see a day when campfires are banned in most parks, just like smoking.
NO OFFENSE, BUT MAYBE YOUR NEXT CAMPING TRIP BE AT SHERATON INN. WE, THE OLD SCHOOL RV’ERS, ARE BEING FORCED OUT OF CAMPING, BECAUSE OF ALL THE CODDLING FANCY RV GLAMPERS ARE DEMANDING THESE DAYS.
People do have a right to a campfire however if the smoke is drifting into my motorhome, I do have a right to breath clean air. I equate this situation to smoking in restaurants. Wood smoke can be worse on you then smoking cigarettes
Compromise. No campfires in restaurants.
SIR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BREATH CLEAN AIR, I GET IT.
HOWEVER, YOU REALLY DON’T HAVE A RIGHT TO DICTATE POLICY, OR TELL OTHER CAMPERS WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR CAMPFIRES. BY THE WAY, WOOD SMOKE IS WAY LESS DANGEROUS THAN SMOKING. WE WHERE CAMPING ONCE ON AN RV CAMPGROUND, BEEN THERE FOR A WEEK, WHEN WE HAD THIS FANCY RV PARK NEXT TO US. WE HAD A CAMPFIRE THAT NIGHT, AND THE RV OWNER WHO WAS NEXT TO US, CAME OUT CUSSING AND YELLING AT US, BECAUSE HE STATED THAT THE SMOKE AND ASH, WAS GOING TO DAMAGE HIS RV!! THE NEXT DAY, HE COMPLAINED TO THE MGMT. THAT WE WERE PURPOSELY MAKING A LOT OF SMOKE AND ASH, AND SOMEHOW DIRECTING IT AT HIS RV AND CAUSING DAMAGING! SO, HE POSTED COMMENTS AND TOOK CELL PHONE PICTURES OF OUR RV, AND TOLD AS MANY AS HE COULD ONLINE, THAT WE GO AROUND TO RV PARKS, WITH THE INTENTION OF DAMAGING HIGH END RVS, BECAUSE WE WERE JEALOUS!, BECAUSE OUR RV WSS 12 YEARS OLD!! THE MGMT. CAME BACK LATER THE NEXT DAY, AND SAID WE HAD TO LEAVE THE RV PARK, EVEN THOU WE WERE PAID FOR 2 MORE WEEKS! WE WHERE TOLD ALSO, WE WOULD NOT GET OUR MONEY BACK!! THEIR REASON WAS THAT WE WERE DISRUPTIVE CAMPERS, AND DISRESPECTED OUR NEIGHBOR!! WOW!! SO SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH CAMPERS THAT SAY WE SHOULD USE PROPANE, OR NOT BEING ALLOWED IN AN RV PARK, BECAUSE OUR RIG WAS OLDER THAN 10 YEARS.
Windows should just crank up the tunes from sun up to quiet time. It’s the music they like and they want to enjoy the outside with music playing. They have rights too.
smoke vs noise
We winter in an RV resort in Arizona. No wood fires allowed. A lot of people have propane fires .really nice and no smoke no ash and probably cheaper than wood.
Just good neighbors.
Why cant ‘window’ guy just shut that side of the the trailer windows.. open the other side..? its what I would do.. cause the s’more’ guy is there to chill, camp and have a fire..
Or ‘windows’ talk to the owners/park manager to please move me to another spot less getting the wind of the smoke.. chances are its row campsites..hes going to get more wind from other campers too… . I get it .. happened to me but after all..? If we all were picky about particular things.. better go back to our comfy homes.
You know rv camping is kinda a conundrum.. we get away to camp and from people…yet we sometimes are stuck next to people who are closer to us than our garage is to the house…. to me you just gotta be picky and do research, if things bug you like the fire thing..plan ahead..find a spot that has wider , larger spots away from each other..peace!✌
This why RV camp grounds have no appeal for me. It’s like a seasonal ghetto and it’s not real camping. I would refuse to pay full price. Perhaps have campfire dedicated sites downwind from prevailing weather.
We prefer to stay at campgrounds with either community fire pits away from the campsites or those that do not allow any wood fires. We have a propane fire pit and use it regularly but have left campgrounds that had too many smoky campfires, one bad enough that our coach was full of smoke with doors and windows closed. As others have said, vote with your feet. The campgrounds are full and owners are not going to give up profits so we can breathe better. Check the rules before you make your reservation for those longer stays so you aren’t ambushed by the smoke. If you can’t find the rules online, call and ask.
I equate it to boating. I am responsible for my wake. You are responsible for your smoke plume. If it is going straight up and dissipating, great. If it is blowing out in to a field or down the road, great. If it is blowing straight in to someone’s rv, put it out and use a propane fire pit.
It’s not all about you.
A boater can control the wake. A camper cannot control the wind. Plus the wind changes.
You assume they have been taught manners and consideration for others by their parents.
The campground should have a designated campfire area for everyone, preferably down wind from the majority of campsites. If people insist on having a campfire at their site it should be propane only. You can’t smoke in buildings or near the entrance to public buildings due to the hazards of second hand smoke. Why should campfires be any different? Having a community campfire not only keeps the smoke to a minimum but encourages campground comradeship. A community fire pit is a good answer to the problem.
People like you should stay home. Who are you to tell me what I can do in my campsite? If the sites are too close that is the campground’s problem.
Joel, I appreciate your input and perspective that you feel you have rights and privileges as it pertains to your campsite and I agree to an extent. The reply you offered Rick lacks respect, empathy or any appreciation for Rick’s perspective. Rick was offering a constructive starting point for discussion. Judgmental statements and shame only shutdown intellect for everyone involved. We all deserve respect and a healthy intellectual conversation.
Camp FIRES are nice, campfire SMOKE not so much. Nobody sitting around a campfire moves to be in the smoke. Thank heavens for my home where nobody is going to pull in the driveway, start up a generator, build a fire, play music and stay up until 2:30 am laughing and talking.
If I want a fire I’m going to have a fire if allowed. Mind you, I’m the type that won’t start until around 7 and the fire will be out by 11pm so what’s the problem?
Have Windows open the windows on the other side of the rig and close the ones pulling in smoke. Then turn on the roof fans enough to pull fresh air in the windows and exhaust thru the roof fan.
Good point, if the fan can draw air in away from the smoke the positive air pressure won’t let any of the smoke in.
If camping in the woods, especially near a river or lake, where sites are far apart campfires are ok. I’ve seen campgrounds where sites are on top of each other and campfire rings at each site. I’m afraid that if there are campfires around closely parked RVs it could be a disaster.
To my thinking, campfires and camping go hand in hand. It is unreasonable to expect that no one in your vicinity will have a campfire on any given night. The “smoldering wood” campfire is another issue and those campers should have paid more attention and earned their campfire merit badge. A smoldering fire is annoying to even the “fire loving” crowd.
We have learned that you can’t pick your camping neighbors just like you can’t pick your family so when annoying practices are close, we adapt with windows closed, air conditioner on, and ear plugs in. There’s not much else you can do but keep the peace.
As for Mr. Campfire, get it together, man. Be aware of your annoying behavior and adapt. Dry out your wood or get another dry bundle from the camp store.
This may sound rude but it is absolutely not meant to be…if you don’t like campfire smoke then you probably shouldn’t go camping in a campground.
So now the neighbors want me to control the direction of the wind!? Really!??
We seldom have campfires. I love the “overall” smell of the campfire, but don’t like the way I smell when I am sitting right over it, nor do I like it blowing smoke in my face.
But I have to admit that a campfire is one of the true icons of camping. If you keep your windows closed, it should not be an issue. And if you are sitting inside your RV instead of outside in your lawn chairs enjoying nature, then you are not a real camper anyway.
Solution: Find an RV resort that prohibits wood fires. Easy peasy.
If you don’t like smelling of smoke and the smoke blowing in your face, Check out The Amicus Fire Pit. Search for it on Facebook and Youtube. Theres also an Etsy store with great reviews.
I think the real problem is “Camping” folks and “Resort” folks using the same space with very different expectations, so neither is happy. If you’re in a campground then expect campground behaviors: wood campfires, quiet, bugs, nature. If you’re in a resort then expect resort behaviors: lp fire pits, folks with music/movies, party atmosphere, amenities (pool, clubhouse, kids playground).
There is some place that meets each of our individual wants/needs, but not every place is for everyone. If you find yourself in the other folks environment, roll with it till you get to yours.
If a campfire is properly built and maintained it should produce very little smoke. Unfortunately about 80% of campers do not know how to build or maintain a good campfire. Regrettably, campers that have a camp fire with excessive smoke usually just sit upwind of it completely oblivious to how it affects the campsites that are downwind.
Note to these campers…. If you cannot sit downwind of your campfire because of the excess smoke, you should either Google the correct way to build & maintain a campfire or buy a propane fire pit.
Remember, it is important to be courteous to your fellow campers when you have a campfire given the close confines of campsites at most locations.
Richard, I concur. I think your post hits the nail on the head. It doesn’t contain any hints of selfishness.
Amen! Learn to build a fire before you douse a bunch of rotten or green wood with lighter fluid, throw a match on it and call it done! Fire building and maintaining is a skill…learn it!
There are several smokeless fire pits available today. Some have a hefty price tag and some are just hefty, too heavy to carry around in your RV. Finding the right balance is like building the perfect fire. The fire triangle is heat/ignition source, fuel and air. Smoke is just fuel/gas that lacked sufficient air or heat to ignite. Wood has a flashpoint temperature of 752 degrees. Adding wet or green wood lowers the fire temperature when the moisture flashes to steam and carries the heat away. The solution is achieving higher fire Temps so when moist wood is added intermittently, the fire temp doesn’t drop below the threshold. The more exciting options are Breeo and Solo Stove. I prefer the Amicus Fire Pits, they’re a lot less expensive and the modular design makes clean up a snap. Transport is easier too because you can carry it’s two sections in each hand. Of course I am biased due to my being the creator of The Amicus Smokeless Fire Pit.
I really like your design. However, when I go to Etsy or Ebay, it only shows the taller version. How do I purchase the shorter version? Thanks, Max
We love sitting outside the cool fresh air once the sun sets but very often the campground air is so smoky we have to resort to staying indoors, closing everything up and hunkering down running the AC. If campgrounds allow campfires then there is nothing else we can do. We would never ask someone to extinguish a campfire but think it is rude when excess smoke is blowing directly at someone else’s camper.
A lot of good points. To those who say go somewhere else, in the western states if you want to camp at a lake you most likely need to be in a campground, probably on national forest land. Dispersed camping usually isn’t allowed.
I love camping why does other people have to ruin it for people that want to camp Maybe campgrounds that sell wood should make sure their wood is totally dry
Maybe windows should just realize that campfires are a huge part of camping for a lot of people. They need to find a campground that doesn’t allow them , or, a campsite that is far enough away from others so they don’t have this problem. Close the windows and run the a/c.
There are many people at campgrounds and they all have a way they like to camp. Their definition of camping may not be the same as someone else’s. My take on this is someone is going to get upset about something someone does but they need to suck it up and enjoy their camping experience the best that they can or just stay home.
Really not much difference between campfire smoke and loud rock and roll music, personally I don’t like either one now in my 80’s. Now this is a strange request, can we be respectful of our neighbors in a crowded campground? I’m not going to have my classic country music blasting into you space and if the wind is blowing at all I’m not going to build a campfire that’s going to blow smoke towards any camper. In the immortal words of Rodney what’s his name in Lala land, “Can’t we all get along”!
Glad you said that!
I have been camping for over fifty years and a campfire has always been a part of the enjoyment and many times used for cooking as well. I have no intention of changing that at all but I do understand other people’s annoyance and make every effort to limit a smoky fire. I also over the years have refrained from a campfire do to another campers health issues. Happy caming
We recently camped at a state park with very close spacing of the campsites. The smoke from Canadian forest fires had drifted to our area and created an air quality alert. It was already hard to breathe but several campfires made matters worse. Please use common sense and refrain from adding your smoky campfire to an already unhealthy air situation.
Stupid is as stupid does!
I only had an issue with smoke come into our TT once. The campground was situated in the bottom of two large close mountains and there was a lack of a breeze. I just closed the window on the side where campers had the campfire and had no issue. I like a campfire camping
It seems to me that if they are sharing a campfire then they probably know each other. If so, then why not offer to switch sites. Both parties will have a much better time for the amount of inconvenience for making the switch – unless, of course, the wind shifts!
I like to eat beans, but I don’t do it sitting right next to someone. The answer is simple: no campfire areas. Separate as they do in other places.
If windows is downwind of campfire, would it be terribly difficult to just change sites 🤷🏻♀️…Problem solved!
Not so easy in full campgrounds these days.
Even if there was enough room for separation you can’t control the wind. What if the wind happens to be blowing into the No fire section. When I lived in northern IL back in the 70’s and 80’s in the state parks campfires we’re the norm. After moving to AL in 1985 the heat and humidity were so high no one kept their windows open and had their A/C’s running 24/7. So 6 of one and a half dozen of the other.
Just read through these comments and noticed some are from a year ago…really? Guess this is one of the many things people will have to agree to disagree on. I did like the distinction between RVing and camping. I think we are in the RVing sector of full time exploring travelers now….we were campers in the 90s and 00s…tents, fire, and all!
Why dont people just buy a propane fire pit?
They are safer and less likely to start a forest fire and no smoke.
They are relatively affordable $100 or so and can be used anywhere.
Problem solved!!!
Yep !!
Yep X2
Yep X 3
Agreed!
Would you go to a music festival and complain that the music is too loud?
I understand that some people don’t like campfire smoke, but it is part of the campground experience. I would suggest keeping the windows on the campfire side closed, keep the windows on the other side open and run the fans to pull the fresh, smokeless air in.
Coaches can get uncomfortably warm while the A/C is off due to quiet time so opening windows is really the only thing you can do. In most cases, it’s less about the fresh air and more about getting cool air to flow into the coach.
I can understand Window’s frustration in chasing which windows to close as the breeze shifts to avoid disabling the smoke alarm.
I can also understand Campfire’s right to have an *attended* campfire. As long as Campfire isn’t leaving the fire to soot, smoke and smolder all night, they have every right to their enjoyment.
With campgrounds packed in like sardines, there’s no escaping the smoke not just from your neighbor but the other 20 campfires that can make your home smell like a burn pit (assuming you can sleep in smoke).
The choices are few:
Find a different spot
Risk confrontation and extinguish unattended fires
Run your generator A/C until the smoke clears and see who gets kicked out first
Compromise . Work it out in a neighborly fashion. Alternating nights?🤷🏼♂️
Was at a campground recently in Michigan and everything was fine Mon thru Thur, then Friday hit and the park filled up with fire lovers. It was like we were in the middle of a forest fire. Everyone had a fire going. Not very enjoyable.
The campground can help by insisting that only their wood may be used in designated fire rings – and making sure the wood is fully seasoned (dry). This will reduce smoke, but honestly some people simply don’t know how to build a fire with adequate airflow to reduce smoldering, nor extinguish a fire when they are done with it.
I do get both sides of the issue. I love a good fire – when I am upwind. My eyes are easily irritated by smoke particles (the recent wildfire air quality reduction has been brutal). And I know just because the wind is from a certain direction when I light the fire doesn’t mean it will stay coming from that direction. People can move their seats around a fire, RVs cannot.
I try to select sites upwind from other sites based on prevailing winds, but when I can’t and the smoke gets to be too much, the windows are closed and the A/C (if necessary when a simple fan won’t cut it) is turned on. Don’t like the noise? Learn how to make a better fire and extinguish it.
Freedom or entitlement? When a person makes a reservation, check to see if there are campfires allowed. If smoke bothers you, move on and find a location that meets your needs. I don’t see forcing ones will on another when choosing how to live.
Campfires highlight one of the difference between RVers and Campers. One solution is to have a group campfire operated by the park. At least ban campfires at the site when the RVs are within a few feet of each other.
I’ve been at National Parks that were selling recently cut firewood and the smoke over the entire campground was like light fog.
Campfire smoke at campgrounds is a given, and as you can’t control the direction of the wind you have to either learn to tolerate it, or stay home. I have personally converted to an LP gas firepit and enjoy it’s benefits, of convenience, safety, and lower operating cost. Not smoking us, and our neighbors out is a bonus. I purchased a unit with built-in blue tooth speakers (for listening to music or “crackling fire” audio clips). I also purchased an optional grill top which can also be used to smoke wood chips, if you want the campfire aroma. I have plumbed a shut-off valve with a quick-connect to the RV LP system, which has eliminated the need to carry a separate LP tank. We use the firepit on our front porch when we’re not camping. WIN-WIN-WIN!
Therein is the difference between an RV Park, and a Campground.
In an RV Park (even if out in the woods) there are usually no campfire rings.
In a CAMPground, people are “camping”. There of course will be CAMPfires as some people cook their meals on the campfire. There will also be tenters and they usually also use a campfire for cooking and for warming.
In my (rather humble) opinion one needs to decide whether they want to go,
– to an RV Park, or to a Campground and choose accordingly.
Camping is for the family to sit around a campfire in the evening for the kids to experience the thrill of it. I think the campfire should hold presedence as long as the fire is put out at 10 pm.
I guess it depends on how close you are to your neighbor. If I had a campfire and saw smoke going into someone’s RV I would put it out. That’s just being considerate. I’ve had that happen to us before. I came back to my camper that had all the windows open and the neighbor had a big roaring smokey fire going 10 feet from our camper. The smoke was going directly into my windows. It stunk up my whole camper and stunk up our bedding and our clothes so bad that we had to drive and find a laundromat. If you are in a state campground where the sites are far apart and the smoke it not filling up your neighbor’s camper, but you can only smell it a little, then I think that is ok. Campfires are a big part of camping for some people, but you also need to be reasonable about how you affect others. We have a propane fire pit because I’m one of those people who smoke really bothers. My eyes water and I start coughing. You’ll never have to worry about us filling your camper with our smoke.
Central firepits in tight campgrounds…like you say in your articles where people gather around and talk. I attended the RVillage 2.0 rally and the fire totems were great! We couldn’t roast marshmallows around them but they were great for gathering.
I have been to places where the RVs were so close together. If I put out my awning I touched the RV next to me or I was looking in the window of the unit beside me from my window/door AND there were campfire rings at each site! Too close and too dangerous. Individual rings at places where sites are far apart are ok like at many state/national campsites.
Windows is wrong morally, ethically and legally.
I think “windows “ should research more into what they want/like in a RV Park/Camp sites more than expecting “Campfire” to not have a Campfire when it’s allowed.
Go camp in the boondocks!! Problem solved
Windows should stick to trailer parks, RV resorts, and other full hookup, modern amenities type RV parking areas. We, in the Campfire group should stay at actual campgrounds, a term that has been appropriated by the former group.
Where we camp, fires are almost mandatory.
When we need or desire to use “civilized facilities” to dump & refill or enjoy a pool or air conditioning we stay at a Windows place for a day or two. Having a fire in a little concrete box in our five foot wide lawn patch is unappealing to us.
I can’t imagine toasting marshmallows or making ‘s’mores over a propane flame. The coloration is not from toasting from the heat of the coals but instead from the soot of an over rich gas flame.
Ideally, we could switch places with Windows. Why? Because Newmar decided that EVERYONE who bought a New Aire model NEVER wanted to open the windows of the RV. So, essentially none of our windows open; problem solved. 😉 Seriously, it seems as though Campfire can have a fire if/when they want. However, it would be nice if they doused the fire at the onset of quiet hours at the campground. Thereby Windows could sleep with open windows sans smoke. Additionally, Windows could employ a strong portable fan to blow the offending smoke past their windows during the day, which still allows Campfire to have a campfire. A potential complication is who/what receives the diverted smoke.
Add generator operating from 0800-2200 each and every day for a solid week
This is a tough one ,,, but Windows should stay home!!! As you said, a campfire in the evening is an amenity that the majority of people who camp LOVE!