No Camperfires...

[akamom]

Not a big deal, it's too dry and we understood that. So we got out the charcoal chimney with some coals and roasted smoors that way in the grill. Just a little tip to makes it feel a little more like camping!

 

[Colson39]

Yea, most of central/south Florida is under water restrictions right now, I don't see the fire ban being lifted anytime soon. Sadly it's normally this way until the summer monsoons start rolling in (which seriously needs to happen, I can't believe we're in May already and we have yet to have daily thunderstorms), and then the fire bans should be liften and then throughout the winter.

Personally, I sometimes like having a fire in our covered firepit as compared to one out in the open, it's easier to maintain

 

[loveDmouse]

So can you have campfires in FW if there isn't a ban? I was under the impression that they didn't let you have them there period. Just curious?
I know we couldn't last December.

 

[Colson39]

I think the rule is now that you can have campfires in enclosed firepits as long as there is no ban. We've had campfires the last 5 years in Fort Wilderness, but this was during non-fire ban times.

It's never been outlawed completely, just outlawed when there is a rain shortage and everything is really dry.

 

[loveDmouse]

I think the rule is now that you can have campfires in enclosed firepits as long as there is no ban. We've had campfires the last 5 years in Fort Wilderness, but this was during non-fire ban times.

It's never been outlawed completely, just outlawed when there is a rain shortage and everything is really dry.

So they don't ever allow you to have an open fire pit?
I think you could have the enclosed fire pits when we were there in December we just decided not to get one since most of the campgrounds we go to around our area have fire rings we use and we unfortunatley would only get to FW once a year so I didn't see the need in buying one and dragging it along.
Thanks for your answer.

 

[Colson39]

There was a time they allowed you to have an open fire pit, at least up till a few years ago. They've had some bad fires at the Fort though, and they have spread fast, and I think in the interest of safety they have just decided to make it closed fire pits from now on, when they are allowed.

I'm not 100% sure, but I know that even when there wasn't a ban in place in 2003, we had an open campfire and they asked us to put the lid on it. We of course did, and then offered them a beer....lol

 

[loveDmouse]

There was a time they allowed you to have an open fire pit, at least up till a few years ago. They've had some bad fires at the Fort though, and they have spread fast, and I think in the interest of safety they have just decided to make it closed fire pits from now on, when they are allowed.

I'm not 100% sure, but I know that even when there wasn't a ban in place in 2003, we had an open campfire and they asked us to put the lid on it. We of course did, and then offered them a beer....lol

Thank you!
Nice of you to offer them a beer. Did they take you up on it?

 

[34Angels]

I think this answered my campfire question but to double check, you can't have a open fire and a metal ring around a fire pit is considered an open fire? I'm just trying to decide if we need to haul down some firewood in the trailer. Sorry if I seem a little dense about this whole thing! LOL Oh, and what does an enclosed fire pit look like? You have to buy it yourself? Sorry, every place I've ever camped we could have open fires so this is new to me!

 

[lucy_love]

I think this answered my campfire question but to double check, you can't have a open fire and a metal ring around a fire pit is considered an open fire? I'm just trying to decide if we need to haul down some firewood in the trailer. Sorry if I seem a little dense about this whole thing! LOL Oh, and what does an enclosed fire pit look like? You have to buy it yourself? Sorry, every place I've ever camped we could have open fires so this is new to me!

We use something like this:

But I think right now because of the ban, fires are not allowed at all. I would call FW just to double check though

 

[34Angels]

Ahhh, okay! Thanks! And before we head down there I'll call first to check on a ban.

 

[Rhonda]

This is like ours:

 

[Colson39]

Yea, I can pretty much guarantee that there is a ban in place now, half the state is on fire it seems like, in fact most counties in Florida right now won't even allow open fires, even on personal property. I would still call, but I would be 100% surprised if there wasn't a ban in place.

 

[Rhonda]

I'm down in SW Florida (Ft Myers/Naples area) and we have a ban on fires right now. Even after all the rain we've had this week! It's still not enough.

 

[stacktester]

Rhonda I like that fire pit on wheels. Where are they available?

 

[big kahuna1]

I purchased one like Rhonda's at home depot last year. It was $99.00 for the larger one. They had 2 sizes.

 

[cinder1]

Ok so now I have a dumb question. Does the ban mean you can't use the grill at the cabins? We will be there in July and were going to use the grill for dinner a couple of times.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

The last time I was there during a ban, charcoal fires in the grill were allowed. Campfires were banned. I suppose it is up to FW's discretion, however. Just read the notice at the comfort stations when you arrive.

 

[Rhonda]

We bought ours (it's actually a Coleman) through Yahoo Shopping! We found a place with a good price that offered free shipping!

 

[Colson39]

Ok so now I have a dumb question. Does the ban mean you can't use the grill at the cabins? We will be there in July and were going to use the grill for dinner a couple of times.

I've never heard of them banning the charcoal grills, mainly because it doesn't present nearly as much of a fire threat as a fire would. Not that it couldn't happen, just never heard of it. As FtWildernessGuy mentioned, either call or look at the signs, but I really don't think you'll have to worry about the grill

 

[stacktester]

If you can't cook on your grill while camping anywhere I doubt I would want to go lol. I always cook out at least 2 meals while we are at the fort and I would hate to not be able to do so. I only cook with charcoal so it's gotta be an open fire.