Connecticut and campfires

[Tinker]

I know the rules state no campfires in any CT camp sites on the AT but does that really hold up? Haven't done any overnight yet in CT AT but wondered if hikers still made campfires when appropriate conditions are present.

I passed thru Caesar Brook Campsite recently and saw a pretty substantial rock fire pit that looked like it had been used often and recently but that the only place I recall a fire pit.

Yeah, I've seen it too. Idiots break rules because they're too selfish to see far enough ahead to realize that they'll ruin the experience for others.

[Tinker]

Ct is nice and all but no campfires? thats stupid.Me and my friends have campfires all the time noone bothers us

That's only because you haven't been caught.....yet.

Btw: It's my friends and I -
My friends have campfires,
I have campfires.
Me doesn't have campfires.
English isn't really that difficult.

[Alaskanhkr23]

tinker english is difficult for me you should know that

[Alaskanhkr23]

AND tinker read my other post,because then you will know ,I DO NOT LIGHT FIRES ON PROHIBITED AREAS,WHAT IS WITH SOME OF YOU PEOPLE

[Alaskanhkr23]

Tinker your just mad because your hammock fell down LOL J/K

[Tankerhoosen]

Actually you dont need a permit for a small fire pit, as long as it is contained either by a rock ring or one fo those metal ones you can buy. (this is not on the AT of course)

[emerald]

Property owners with an open burning permit might want to refer to the link below before kindling a fire.

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a...epNav_GID=1631

[Soon Man]

fire ban is state wide in Conn. the law was however modified to allow campfires at devoloped campgrounds both public and private. the AT does not fall under the exception

This is true. Car camped a month ago at Macedonia Brook State Park near Kent, CT and about 3-5 miles from AT. My son and I had fires in the fire ring both nights.

[SonrisaJo]

It really seemed like the endless NO CAMPFIRES signs in Connecticut provoked the firebuilding spirit in the southbounders last year. I saw more fires in CT than the rest of ME-WV combined. I am not condoning it, but I swear the signs are what inspired them.

[emerald]

No, the spark came from somewhere between the ears of those who built the alleged fires and was fueled by a childish contempt for authority.

[Ironbelly]

Not trying to incite any kind of riot or hate here but... Other than the signs posted on the AT itself that say no fires, where is this in the written law? because this is a cut and paste from the law, I just looked it up.

---------Backpackers are requested to use backpacking stoves for cooking. If open fires must be used, please build only in established fire rings and be sure fires are fully extinguished before leaving campsites.---------

It says "established" fire ring. Now I am no lawyer, but the way I interpret that is that if I go to shelter X and a fire ring is already there then I can build a fire to cook on. I however could not assemble a fire ring if one was not already present. Then it only says please, and not shall not, or only etc.

Is there another location that this is written other than some random website? i.e. from an official source goverment, dep, etc.

[Ironbelly]

I just searched all of the CT general statutes, environmental regulations and acts for : fire, camp fire, campfire, open fire, open burning, wood stoves, bonfire, backpacking, hiking, camping and combinations of those.

The only thing that showed up was about having fires in landfills and what was allowed to be burned and what wasn't

[4Bears]

A question for this debate; are woodburning stoves permited on the AT in CT simular to the "paint can" type?

[Ironbelly]

I use a small coffee can style wood gas stove on the AT in CT, along with many of the other trails in CT. No where in the letter of the law do I see them banned. And they are much better for the environment than other petro based stoves.

[JAK]

The ridgerunners will dismantle it as soon as they find it.
No fires are allowed on the AT in Connecticut.
If you absolutely must have a fire, please consider hiking somewhere where they're legal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SE1AEd2NqM

[Ironbelly]

JAK, I obviously know that was already posted because I read them all. Back to the question at hand. Other than the posts in this forum and the random signs of the trail. Where is this LEGALY written. A post here is not a legaly binding document nor is a sign on the trail. Is this in a state statute somewhere etc?

I don't build fires on the AT, so put away the pitch forks! I am just curious, because I have done quite a bit of searching and I can't find anything anywhere that is a legal document/official source. And no offense to the AMC and ridgerunners but your signs arn't legal documents. So is it a courtesy that there are no fires allowed? Or is it actually law?

[emerald]

To understand more about local A.T. management plans and how policy is formulated, click on the link to visit ATC's website where there is more information than most people would care to read. Reading the first few paragraphs should dispel the notion formulating a plan is an arbitrary process based upon the whims of A.T. maintaining club board members.

Connecticut regulates open burning in a number of ways and specifies how this is to be accomplished in its general statutes. Many of the policies related to open burning are at the discretion of local officials and the more important no doubt are written down and adopted as ordinances.

Not all of the policies which apply to A.T. visitors are enforceable laws, regulations, rules or ordinances.

[emerald]

The continued existence of the A.T. depends heavily upon its users respecting adopted policies whether codified or not since resources for enforcement are limited.

The concept of a carrying capacity does apply to the A.T. and fire rings are one of the most obvious and objectionable traces left behind. Eliminating or at least reducing them is no doubt one of several reasons campfires are limited to designated campsites in some other locations.

Many areas along the A.T. are not readily accessible to firefighters and it may be best to encourage those who wish to kindle campfires to use public or private campgrounds. Even where campfires are permitted elsewhere on the A.T., it is sometimes impossible for hikers to determine when local fire officials have declared a burning prohibition.

To conserve the A.T., it is necessary to encourage its use. People who do not experience it directly are not apt to value it or seek to perpetuate it. It can be many things to many people, but it cannot be all things to everyone and local residents upon which the A.T. depends for support do not all think alike, but their wishes should be respected even when we do not agree with them.

[Ironbelly]

Thank you for your responce Emerald.

CT does not have a general burning prohibition contrary to popular belief. The only law and state statue governing burning is regarding landfill burning, landowner brush burning, and debris bonfires.
The statue also states that a permit must be obtained from the local fire marshall for any fire large than a 3ft radius.

I however did find the answer I was looking for on the link you posted. And of course it wont let me post it. Basically the ATC documents state that each chapter/club should determine their own polices regarding camp fires, and whether they will establish a ban on all campfires, campfires only in designated areas, bans only during high fire risk etc. And said that these should be based on the effort of a fire fighting detachment being able to reach the area for fire fighting needs if there was a fire.

So, that makes sense. It would be quite hard for a fire department to access the areas in CT, and probally anywhere on the AT for that matter.

So bottom line is that it is indeed not a law/regulation from a legal stand point. But is a policy set in effect by the ATC individual chapters, and should be followed for the safety of the trail. Trying to keep honest people honest in hoping they will follow the posted policy. But sadly nothing can be done if they do not.

[emerald]

Information, education and respect for others can often accomplish what the long arm of the law and its enforcement cannot.