Fire Lighting Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Fire spreading — Keep each group’s fire small and contained, positioned at least 5 m from vegetation and buildings, and 3–5 m from other groups’ fires. Store fuel piles a minimum of 2 m from all fires and clearly separate between groups. Adults supervise at all times, ensuring children only add fuel when directed. Have water and fire blankets available at every fire site. Fully extinguish all fires at the end of the session.
• Tripping near fire — Keep inner circle entirely free of tools, fuel, debris. Enforce walking in outer circle only. Model safe moving. Use seating logs to physically discourage entry into inner zone.
• Use of unapproved fuel in fire — Ban plastics, wrappers, and unknown artificial items from the fire. Only allow inspected, approved dry wood species to be used. Children must not collect or add fuel without adult inspection. Teach participants how different fuels burn, including moisture content, resin levels, and their effects on safety and smoke production.
• Hot ash — Explain ash retains heat long after flames. Post-fire, stir thoroughly, check with gloved hand. Keep supervising until no warmth. Teach children that non-visible hazards persist.
• Leader experience — Only trained and competent leaders permitted to lead fire lighting sessions. Leaders must have current outdoor first aid certification and practical experience managing fire safely. Regular refresher training and peer review of practice recommended.