LEAVE NO TRACE: RESPONSIBLE FIRE STARTING

A great campfire should leave the place as you found it. Leftover firestarter residue, charred rings on bare ground, and unburned trash all degrade the wilderness experience for the next visitor and harm local ecosystems. Aurora Lites are designed to burn nearly completely, but responsible fire starting is still a skill worth practicing every trip.

Whenever possible, build your fire in an existing ring or on a fire pan. This concentrates impact to already-disturbed ground and protects surrounding soil and roots. If no ring exists, use a mound of mineral soil or sand on top of a fire blanket, and dismantle it fully when done. Never build a fire directly on live vegetation or root systems.

Let Aurora Lites and your wood burn down to fine ash as much as possible. When finished, drown the fire with water, stir the ashes, and drown again until everything is cold to the touch. Scatter the cool ash widely and replace any displaced soil or rocks so the site looks natural. Pack out any unburned firestarter scraps or trash — never bury them.

Always check local fire restrictions before lighting up — in dry seasons many areas prohibit open flames entirely, and violations carry heavy fines and real wildfire risk. If conditions are dry or windy, skip the fire. Aurora Lites are a joy, but no campfire is worth starting a wildfire. Use a stove for cooking instead when restrictions are in place.

A modest, well-tended fire leaves a smaller footprint than a roaring bonfire — less fuel consumed, less ash, less risk of escape. Aurora Lites colored flame is most vivid in low light, so a small evening fire gives you the full aurora effect with minimal impact. Enjoy the show, then leave the site as though you were never there.