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In 30+ years of camping and 14 years of helping to run my family's campsite (I started young!) I have only witnessed 2 fires. Both caused by people being stupid with gas canisters for lanterns.Incorrectly fitting them or fitting them when there were other naked lights!

Fires are very, very rare but if they happen they can be dramatic. Always ensure you know where the fire point is at the site and what equipment is available.

if you are really worried you could always take a small fire extinguisher.

I have always felt that the real worry with barbecues is the hot ash making minute holes in your fly sheet that let the rain in and not with setting your tent alight.

Most tents arn't fireproof some of them have a fire proof coating but as i undestand it most tents will eventualy set alight.

I would not let it put you off camping, as long as you are pitched 6m from your neighbour and you are carefull with your own appliences.

I would never cook in my tent, but there have been loads of debates on here about the apparant saftey of this.

I am currenly looking at getting a utility tent so that i no longer have to cook in the rain

Jo x

As I said - tent fires are usually caused by people doing stupid things with gas cylinders - you just need to be sensible.

Quote: Originally posted by charliebobs on 18/07/2005

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We are careful but what if we are asleep and ash from someone elses bbq blows onto it? 

Its a possibility, although I have not heard of a tent catching fire that way myself, although I do know of cases where hot cinders have melted holes in nylon tents.   

Is it law that they have to be fireproof? 

No, and I cant see how you could make nylon f'ireproof' anyway.

Here you go...my (very long!!) thread on fire safety precautions wot I wrote a wee while back...

But as has been said, tent fires are rare. Be sensible, think ahead as to what you could do in an emergency and then don`t worry too much. You`ve got far more chance of having a road accident driving to the campsite.

I should imagine that the tent fabric will be flame retardant, which would give a certain degree of protection against things like ash from BBQs.

Do thinks like keeping a fire bucket and fire extinguisher handy.    Sleep with a sharp knife in the sleeping compartment.    In an emergency you won't care about slashing your tent.

As has been said,  fires are rare.