Risk Assessment Wizard

Create clear, professional risk assessments in minutes. List hazards, set measures and assign responsibilities, then download a clean PDF branded with your organisation.

Get Started

  • Create a Risk Assessment
Youth learning fire lighting skills
Youth Group

Fire Lighting Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for youth group fire lighting, bushcraft fire skills, and survival techniques.

Create Risk Assessment Download Guide PDF
Free to use Instant PDF download Updated February 2026

In This Guide

1 Introduction & Overview 2 Activity Benefits 3 Hazards & Control Measures 4 Safety Checklist 5 Related Guides

The essential guide to fire lighting safety

Fire lighting is a fundamental bushcraft skill that teaches respect for fire, outdoor survival techniques, and self-reliance. This high-risk activity requires careful site selection, rigorous safety protocols, and competent supervision.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough risk assessment—from fire site preparation and lighting methods to clothing requirements, fire extinguishing, and emergency procedures.

Starting a fire with firesteel
Youth Activity
Activity Benefits

Why fire lighting matters

Fire Safety

Teaches essential fire safety and management skills.

Responsibility

Promotes responsibility and caution when handling fire.

Teamwork

Fosters teamwork through collaborative fire setup and maintenance.

Confidence

Builds confidence in managing and controlling fire safely.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

Burns from FireHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Burns from flames, embers, falling into fire, or contact with hot materials.

Control Measures
  • Safe fire circle established
  • Kneeling position for fire lighting
  • Long sleeves and natural fibres worn
  • Burns first aid ready
Fire SpreadHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Uncontrolled fire spreading due to wind, dry conditions, or improper site.

Control Measures
  • Site cleared of debris
  • Wind conditions assessed
  • Fire size kept small
  • Water buckets positioned
Smoke InhalationMedium Risk
Potential Harm

Respiratory issues, dizziness, allergic reactions from smoke.

Control Measures
  • Position upwind
  • Move if wind changes
  • Asthma sufferers identified
  • Breaks away from fire
Clothing IgnitionMedium Risk
Potential Harm

Clothing catching fire, especially synthetic materials that melt.

Control Measures
  • Natural fibre clothing required
  • Loose clothing avoided
  • Long hair tied back
  • Stop, drop, roll taught

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 38 hazards and 89+ control measures for Fire Lighting, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Safety Checklist

Fire lighting checklist

Site

  • Ground cleared
  • Overhead branches clear
  • Wind direction checked
  • Fire circle marked

Clothing

  • Natural fibres worn
  • Long hair tied
  • No loose items
  • Closed-toe shoes

Fire Safety

  • Water ready
  • Fire blanket accessible
  • Extinguisher in place
  • Exit routes clear

Emergency

  • First aid kit ready
  • Burns dressings included
  • Stop-drop-roll taught
  • Phone signal checked

Create your fire lighting risk assessment now

Use our free template builder to create a comprehensive risk assessment in minutes.

Create Risk Assessment View Sample PDF