Are alcohol stoves allowed during a burn ban in the Smokys?
Thanks
Are alcohol stoves allowed during a burn ban in the Smokys?
Thanks
Yes, I called the backcountry office when I got a text about the ban.
Although GSMNP website specified canister stoves, the gentleman I talked with said alcohol stoves were o.k., "just be careful".
I think the main concern is that with a camp fire, burning embers could float away and catch near-by vegetation on fire.
So any stove that doesn't produce embers should be ok (twig stoves might be an issue).
What is the criteria for the park lifting the ban on campfires? How do they determine when it is safe to allow campfires?
I think making absolutely sure it's out is another issue. With most camp stoves it's easy to make sure (wood stoves have shortcomings with this, but with extinguishing burning wood, even when diligent about it, it's still possible that someone missed a hot spot. As a firefighter who has been to several wildland fires, yes we miss them and usually at least one mop-up may be required for larger ones (called a re-kindle). And yes if not totally extinguished, could lead to those flying embers.
As with anything else in the Smokies, call the Back Country Office. They are excellent at answering such questions.
the ban got lifted today............