What to do when you can't have a camp fire due to fire restrictions

[Nobba]

Hi all,

There is nothing better than sitting around the camp fire, having a cold beverage and telling tall stories. But when there are fire restrictions or/ and total fire ban days, what alternatives are there?I'm not talking about cooking but rather the atmosphere that having a camp fire while camping out in the bush creates. I'm curious to hear what members do when they can't have a camp fire and what methods do you have to create some atmosphere.

Cheers,

Nobba.

[fishfinder]

set the timer and see how long it takes for the authorities to ask you to put it out

[D4D]

I'm curious to hear what members do when they can't have a camp fire and what methods do you have to create some atmosphere.

Get speewa to do a strip tease or get dazzler to take his shirt off, that creates some 'atmosphere'

[scarps]

Been in this situation several times. We generally still just sit around informal ring of camp chairs, with cheese, kabana (cabanosi for you northeners:-), dips etc and generally have a great time. If there's a TFB, it's normally hot, so we find a shady spot, sometimes crack out the cards.

[Robin Miller]

I know what you mean Nobba -getting right atmosphere makes camp go better.

We actually have some technical options , never had the issue on TFB days as its usually to hot, but I noted friends camping with us ran a string of fairy lights around camp at Xmas.

It also depends on restrictions to as there is no one solution.   

Under some common senarios we use gas heaters , but one which always works and we carry always is a true infared lamp set up run from the car and which is 150w running off a small can inverter.

We tend to operate from the back of our patrol and lamp is mounted in it up high such that it shines out and down and puts a red glow over quite a camp area.

It also puts out some noticeable warmth for about a meter which may not sound like much but is really nice when working from back of the car on a cold morning or evening.

People sitting around will get up and walk closer to it and warm there hands then go back and sit down and the atmoshere from the red glow carries on well past the warming range.

An incidental benefit is that people and kids who may have got a small injury or bruise feel better with the deep heat.

Robin

[MDS69]

Been in this situation several times. We generally still just sit around informal ring of camp chairs, with cheese, kabana (cabanosi for you northeners:-), dips etc and generally have a great time. If there's a TFB, it's normally hot, so we find a shady spot, sometimes crack out the cards.

But you wouldn't leave them unattended would you in case they disappear.

[scarps]

But you wouldn't leave them unattended would you in case they disappear.

Hhmm, actually I've never had an issue with any of my chairs disappearing:-)

[Nobba]

Interesting concept with the red lamp...like an artificial fire???

[Robbo]

Here you go. A fire ban friendly campfire complete with artificial marshmellows.

[Nobba]

haha great work Robbo. I'll get my kids to build one next time we go camping! 

[Black Diamond]

One of our most memorable camping experiences with my family was when we camped recently in 45deg heat on the shores of lake Eildon. Obviously with no campfire and the mercury still hovering in the mid 30s in the evening, we sat around in our chairs watching the full moon and stars. It was spectacular with no light from the campfire  stealing the light show especially with the moon reflecting of the lake. The kids had a bit of fun with the Skywalker app on my phone which tells you the name of stars etc. quiet interesting.
The was a light zephyr which kept things comfortable and many beers were consumed. Never thought I would enjoy camping as much without a campfire
Was a great few days

BD

[Nobba]

Speaking of kids, anyone got some good ideas of fun things for the kids to do a night? We normally have sparklers and glow sticks and they might watch a movie in bed if they are tired.

[Andrew_C]

I take the kids out with a good torch looking for animals, tell them they have to be quiet.