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Make Coals, Take Coals

Steps for having a responsible beach fire

Beach fires are permitted in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore between the Lake Michigan water line and dune vegetation.

Infographic of two people standing on a beach with wood logs and a bucket. Text: Purchase Firewood Locally Bring a bucket to carry firewood to the beach.

1. Before heading to the beach

  • Purchase firewood locally to prevent the spread of invasive species.
  • Pack a bucket for carrying supplies and putting out your fire.
Inforgrapghic of a fire on sand text: Prevent Wildfires Build your fire on the beach between the water and the vegetation.

2. Pick your spot

  • Look for a spot where someone had a fire previously. Using the same spot helps to Leave No Trace by minimizing coals on the beach.
  • Build your fire between the waterline and first dune or area of vegetation to prevent forest fires.
Infographic: 3 people around a campfire with bucket of water. Text Enjoy your beach fire. Do not burn any garbage. Pack out what you pack in.

3. Enjoy your fire

  • Limit the size of your fire.
  • Fill your bucket with water from Lake Michigan to have onhand in an emergency.
  • Only burn wood.
  • Keep track of all belongings.
infographic of bucket spilling water with text Douse Don't Bury Use your bucket to douse the fire with water until cool to the touch.

4. Douse your fire

  • Use your bucket to fill water from Lake Michigan and douse your fire until it is cold to the touch. It may take several buckets to fully douse the fire.
  • DO NOT bury your coals with sand. This can burn the feet of those walking the beach.
Infographic of two people sitting and standing near black charcoal. One person holds a bucket. Text Leave no trace. Fill your bucket with cool coals from the beach to dispose of elsewhere.

5. Before you leave

  • Be sure to pack out everything you brought with you, including trash.
  • Fill your bucket with cooled coals from your fire, or from nearby fire remnants from the beach to dispose of elsewhere.
Infographic with text - see full description on page below.

NPS Infographic Taryn Withers

Infographic Alt text:

Infographic of 5 steps for a responsible beach fire

Step 1: Text: Purchase Firewood Locally. Bring a bucket to carry firewood to the beach. Infographic: Two people standing on a beach with wood logs and a bucket..

Step 2: Text: Prevent Wildfires. Build your fire on the beach between the water and the vegetation. Infographic: a clipart of a campfire in the sand.

Step 3: Text: Enjoy your beach fire. Do not burn any garbage. Pack out what you pack in. Infographic: Three people around a campfire with bucket of water

Step 4: Text: Douse Don't Bury. Use your bucket to douse the fire with water until cool to the touch. Infographic: clipart bucket spilling water.

Step 5: Text: Leave no trace. Fill your bucket with cool coals from the beach to dispose of elsewhere. Infographic: two people sitting and standing near black charcoal on the sand. One person holds a bucket.

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Last updated: July 18, 2024