Covered Firepits Allowed Now?

[Ears2Camping]

Are covered firepits allowed at Ft Wilderness now? I had heard that covered firepits had been completely banned at Ft Wilderness over the summer due to Florida's burning ban.

We have 9 days to go before we leave for Ft Wilderness - and want to have our fire at the campsite... just something about it and camping...

Thanks so much!!!

 

[poohbearwithme]

I'm pretty sure that the official word is: NO campfires allowed anywhere with the exception of the big nightly one. But I have seen where folks have talked about it on this board where they use a portable covered firepit (the Obvious word being covered) and nothing was said to them. You best bet would be to call FW direct (not the main reservation number) and ask them yourself.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

I'm interested in knowing about this, because we were going to bring our cover firepit.

 

[stillh2o]

I was where last month. We like other have a covered fire pit. We had a fire every night with no problem. I think if it is a covered firepit with screen it is OK for FW.The paper say no a open fires.

 

[Memph1s]

We just got back last night and they have a sign posted at the comfort stations saying due to very dry conditions NO campfires allowed.

 

[ynottony99]

Over the weekend, we saw a covered pit with screen in place being used for 2 nights. It was right along the main road near the Meadows, where everyone could see it.

 

[Ears2Camping]

Spoke with Ft Wilderness today - Front Desk said that as long as the firepit is off the ground, has a mesh screen on on the side and has a solid cover on the top that it is allowed.

Yippee

 

[luke6417]

Spoke with Ft Wilderness today - Front Desk said that as long as the firepit is off the ground, has a mesh screen on on the side and has a solid cover on the top that it is allowed.

Yippee

I thought the same thing. Realistically if the fire is in a protable fire pit, it is just as safe as using a charcoal grill.

 

[Colson39]

This rumour has been going on and off for a few years. We go to Ft. Wilderness at least a few times a year, including a big week long trip at Thanksgiving. For the last 4 years I've had a fire going (in a enclosed firepit), with never any problems. The only time I ever DID have a problem was 3 years ago when I couldn't find the lid, after lighting the fire some of the rangers came by and said I had to put a lid on it (no pun intended...lol).

That was a very cold Thanksgiving that year (any of you that were in Ft. Wilderness at Thanksgiving time in 2004 can attest, it got into the high 30's at night), so needless to say we really needed a fire when we were outside.

It seems that Ft. Wilderness pretty much follows the policy now that if the firepit is enclosed, they will allow it. This same rumour was going around last year, and people were saying then that you couldn't have you own fires going, but once we got to Ft. Wilderness they told us as long as it was in an enclosed fire pit, we would be fine.

Happy smores to y'all!!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

During our last visit (17-28 October 2006) there was an open fire ban at FW due to the low rainfall in Florida. Notifications were posted at all comfort stations, and it specifically stated no fires in portable fire pits. This ban was still in effect on the 28th when we left. No rumor - just fact. I'm sure this ban will be lifted if there is sufficient rainfall, but don't assume that it is okay because it has been in the past.

 

[Colson39]

Well according to two other posters, one contacted Ft. Wilderness just a couple days ago and they said it was fine, and the other saw fires going over last weekend with no problem, so it does appear that there is no ban in place currently. Not a rumour

P.S. No one was every saying that there has never been a ban on fires, I have been there when there was. The problem is a lot of times people state there is a ban when there is none, as has already been shown in this thread quite a few times.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Up until a couple of years ago, fire pits were banned - it was stated in the rules handed to you at check in that there were no open fires allowed, only charcoal fires in grills. The allowed fire pits are a relatively recent change. I have no issues with them, unless someone chooses to ignore a fire ban like the one in effect a couple of weeks ago. As far as consulting a CM, they are often not informed of temporary changes in policy. I would go by a notice posted on the bulletin boards over what someone said, regardless of how badly I wanted a fire.

 

[Colson39]

Well that must not have been enforced very well because I've been going to FW since I was a kid (so say for the last 30 years or so), and I can remember having fires at ours (and seeing others campfires) for pretty much as long as I can remember.

And I personally would take the word of someone that works at Ft. Wilderness over anyone else, but I guess we differ there. Unless a ranger asks me to put it out, if they tell me I can have one, I'm going to have one.

I'm not saying that there wasn't a fire ban back in the day, but in my 30 years of having fires in Ft. Wilderness (minus when they had, as you mentioned, signs up banning them) I have never once been told to put one out. Maybe it's just enforced more now a days, not sure, but if they tell us we can have a fire when we check in, it's marshmallow time

P.S. Considering both Ft. Wilderness said they were now allowed, and the recent poster saying they saw campfires all of last weekend, it appears the ban has been lifted. Could it return next week? Of course, but as of right now, it appears to be lifted. And that is fine and dandy with me, just keep it lifted for a few more weeks please

 

[marybrat]

Spoke with Ft Wilderness today - Front Desk said that as long as the firepit is off the ground, has a mesh screen on on the side and has a solid cover on the top that it is allowed.

Yippee

That's way cool!!! We want to bring a fire pit with us when we go. It will be August and hot, but we like to have fires anyways.

 

[Colson39]

Just a quick update, my fiancee and I will be leaving for Ft Wilderness tomorrow, but my parents are already up there in the 5th wheel(got a nice big site in Jack Rabbit Run, can't wait!!).

They stated that there are numerous fires in their loop alone during the day and at night (it's currently 41 degrees in Fort Wilderness, as of 5 minutes ago!!), so it does appear that there is not currently a ban in place. These are all of course in covered firepits. So grab some marshmallows and enjoy!!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Just a quick update, my fiancee and I will be leaving for Ft Wilderness tomorrow, but my parents are already up there in the 5th wheel(got a nice big site in Jack Rabbit Run, can't wait!!).

They stated that there are numerous fires in their loop alone during the day and at night (it's currently 41 degrees in Fort Wilderness, as of 5 minutes ago!!), so it does appear that there is not currently a ban in place. These are all of course in covered firepits. So grab some marshmallows and enjoy!!

Have Fun! and roast a mallow for me!