CAMP STOVES AND FIREPLACES

THE campfire appeals to an instinct which is common to man and which can be traced back to antiquity. Fires will always be in demand by those who are seeking recreation in its different forms in the national forests and in other areas. They provide a means of creating warmth, of cooking, of lighting, of exchanging signals, and of fostering a community interest among those who are gathered in the campfire circle.

There are two types of areas in the national forests, and in other parks and forests, on which camp stoves and fireplaces are used. These areas are ordinarily designated as forest camp or campground (primarily for overnight camping use), and picnic area (primarily for daytime picnic use and seldom for overnight use). The term "forest camp" is generally applicable to any area in the national forests used for camping or picnicking or both. The term "picnic area" is generally applicable only to areas used for picnicking. On the other hand, the two areas have a distinct use, one for camping purposes and one for picnicking purposes, and in this bulletin the differentiation is made accordingly. Camp stoves and fireplaces are used on other areas in the national forest, known as special-use areas, which are particularly adapted for summer residences, and for summer hotel sites with overnight cabins.

The forest camp and forest picnic area are set aside for this particular type of recreation use. Many of the forest camps are occupied for periods extending from 1 or 2 days to periods extending over a number of weeks, while picnic areas are in most instances used for one and not more than two meals during any one trip. Both of these areas serve as centers of activity from which the occupants may take long or short trips for hiking, fishing, hunting, etc.

In the forest camp and in the picnic area, it is essential that cooking facilities be constructed in order to provide the conveniences so necessary for the majority of people. Those who use the forest camps, especially for camping use, require a more complete and convenient cooking unit than those who use the picnic areas.

The problems of convenience and adaptation to use, appearance, protection against the fire hazard, and maintenance must be discussed in any adequate consideration of this subject.

It is frequently observed in the national forests that forest camps and picnic areas are used so intensively and in such a manner that the forest ground-cover is unnecessarily destroyed. There is a "saturation point" beyond which these areas should not be intensively used. This point is in direct relation to the kind of vegetation and soil conditions which prevail upon any specific area and which must be considered in determining the type of development for any area.

Any man-made feature, however well designed, when introduced into the natural forest is an artificial note and an intrusion. It is granted that the ideal forest recreation area is one in which these features are absent. Unfortunately, man's use of these recreation areas, and nature's requirement that vegetation be protected, make certain facilities and regulations for their use entirely necessary. It is very essential that there be an intelligent conservation of the existing growth on all campgrounds and picnic areas if continued pleasure is to be derived from the use of these areas.

The attitude of the public toward the use and protection of the facilities which are provided in forest camps and picnic areas varies widely in different sections of the country. There are those individuals who seem intuitively to appreciate the effort which is made to increase their comfort and enjoyment by providing adequate and convenient facilities. On the other hand, there are those who are critical of these facilities, even though they evidence a certain respect for the use of these facilities. There is, however, another group (fortunately, in the minority) who are inclined to be careless and destructive. In some localities throughout the country it becomes increasingly important on this account to so design and construct facilities for campgrounds and picnic areas that a minimum of damage from vandalism and careless use can occur.

Fireplaces are chiefly valuable because of the open blaze which provides heat and light so much desired by campers and picnickers. Camp stoves are primarily valuable for cooking purposes and are necessary where the fire hazard is great. Fireplaces should be designed so that they may be used with reasonable convenience for cooking purposes.

The amount of money available for the construction and subsequent maintenance of camp stoves and fireplaces is often an important factor in determining the type of unit. Some types of camp stoves and fireplaces require much more maintenance (replacing of parts, removal of ashes, and repairs) than do others of a simpler and more solid type of construction. The kind of labor available for constructing these units is sometimes an equally important factor. The type of unit which requires strict adherence to detailed plans in actual construction is not practical unless skilled labor is available. In any camp stove and fireplace, it is possible, without skilled labor, to misinterpret the intent of the plans to the extent that the completed feature may sometimes entirely lose the desired effect.