Camping and campfires go hand in hand. It's something that many of us have been accustomed to since we were kids. Nowadays, with droughts and heat waves, open fires are becoming more and more frowned upon and illegal on a variety of public lands, especially during wildfire seasons.
Recently, I joined some friends for a 3-day trip through the Rubicon during a campfire ban but we managed to keep that ambiance alive with a minor adaptations. Here's what we used and a few other viable options to keep the campfire tradition burning proudly on your trip.
Flextail Max 3-1 Rechargeable Lantern
This little thing is pretty amazing. Extremely-bright, compact and loaded with features, including a steam-like humidifier option that is pretty amazing! It doesn't put off heat, but we sat around this for a few hours and never missed the fire. Plus, it'll charge your phone and put off light for up to 23 hours in "warm light" mode.
Most public lands will still require a fire permit for propane stoves, firepits, etc, but if you absolutely have to have a campfire and you have adequate room to carry this, it's the closest thing to a real wood fire without breaking the rules. If you get the lava rocks, it will heat up and put off a nice warmth as well. Your smore-loving participants will love this option. Lots of options to choose from on these.
Again, not a heat source, but great for ambience and they actually can put off a decent amount of light without burning a hole in your night vision like some lanterns. Easy and simple to operate and they last for quite some time.
One of our favorite alternatives is the Radiate Portable Campfire... check the regulations in your area, but, because it has a lid and is contained, it is not classified as a campfire but a burning candle.
So, if you must have that evening ambiance of a fire during fire bans, these are a few options that'll keep the tradition going strong. Be sure to ALWAYS check fire regulations prior to using your public lands and be sure to carry a fire permit when needed.
