Be bonfire smart this autumn

A farm bonfire has a certain magic. Hayrides roll in from the fields, boots crunch across the ground and a crackling blaze gives families a warm place to gather as the evening cools. For farms offering agritourism events, that combination can turn a simple autumn night into a memorable experience.

Bonfires may be controlled fires, but they are still fires. Put one on a farm surrounded by dry grass, hay, equipment and buildings and you have a lot of potential fuel in one place. And with children roasting marshmallows in the dark, a little planning goes a long way.

Two farms show how the bonfire can be a major part of the agritourism experience. Their offerings also provide a useful jumping-off point for the fire safety basics every farmer should consider.

Milburn Orchards in Elkton, MD, offers evening bonfire parties that begin with a leisurely wagon ride through their orchards before guests gather around a large bonfire. The farm provides the fire, an employee to tend it and roasting sticks. In autumn, each booked wagon also comes with two gallons of cider. The 2026 offerings include wagons for groups of up to 25, 35 and 45 people.

What stands out from a fire safety perspective is that Milburn does not treat the bonfire as an unattended amenity. There is a designated employee tending the blaze and the farm establishes clear rules around the fire pit. Guests cannot stand on benches or picnic tables; horseplay near the fire is prohibited; and fireworks, sparklers and firecrackers are not allowed. Smoking is also prohibited in or around the hay wagons.

Over in Mount Sterling, Ohio, Horse-N-Round Fun offers hayrides and bonfires as additions to its farm events. It’s a good example of how the fire can serve as the finale to an agritourism event rather than simply being another attraction on the property.

For farmers considering a similar setup, here are six fire safety fundamentals:

1. Mind the flame.

Do not place a bonfire wherever there happens to be a convenient patch of ground. Pick an open location with plenty of separation from barns, sheds, hay storage, vehicles, fences, trees, crops and other combustible materials.

Think beyond the flames themselves. Wind can carry embers farther than you expect, especially when the surrounding vegetation is dry. Before the event, walk the site and clear away leaves, grass, sticks and other easily ignited material.

Check local rules before lighting up too. Open burning regulations vary by location and may change with weather or drought conditions. If you are unsure about what is permitted, call the local fire department or fire marshal before the first wagon rolls.

2. Keep it contained.

The best bonfire is not the biggest bonfire.

Farmers sometimes think a bigger pile means a better show. But beware, bigger usually means more heat, more sparks and more problems if something goes wrong. Build a manageable fire and keep a trained adult assigned to watch it. That person should not be simultaneously driving a tractor, serving food or checking guests in. Fire watch means fire watch.

Have extinguishing equipment ready before the fire is started. A charged hose is excellent when one is available and appropriate. Keep suitable fire extinguishers nearby as well. Make sure everyone working the event knows where the equipment is and how to use it.

And never leave a burning or smoldering fire unattended.

3. Respect the spark.

Guests need to know where the fun ends and the fire zone begins.

Use benches, fencing, ropes or another obvious barrier to establish a safe perimeter. Keep guests far enough away that a child cannot easily stumble into the fire or an adult reaching for a roasting stick cannot accidentally get too close.

This is especially important when you are serving food around the fire. Roasting sticks should be handled carefully and children should have close adult supervision. Nobody should be running, chasing, pushing or playing around the fire pit.

A good rule is simple: If you would not want someone doing it around a fireplace in your living room, do not let them do it around a farm bonfire.

4. Watch the wind.

A calm, cool evening can become a fire problem with one weather shift.

Check the forecast before the event and check conditions again before you light the fire. Strong or gusty winds should make you reconsider the plan. So should extremely dry conditions, drought restrictions or anything else that increases the chance of an ember starting a secondary fire.

Have a cancellation threshold and stick to it. A sold-out bonfire does not make unsafe weather safer. That is the right mindset. Sometimes the safest bonfire is the bonfire you do not light.

5. Separate flame and hay.

This one deserves extra attention on farms.

Hayrides put combustible agricultural material right next to your guests and potentially next to ignition sources. Keep smoking, matches, lighters, fireworks and other open flames away from hay wagons.

Inspect wagons and tractors before each event. Pay particular attention to exhaust systems, hot engine components and anything that could produce a spark or excessive heat. The fire should also be positioned well away from where wagons load, unload or park.

The rule I use is simple: keep ignition sources and potential fire fuel separated whenever you can.

6. Plan for fire.

Every farm hosting a public bonfire should have an emergency plan before the first flame appears.

Know exactly where the bonfire is located and make sure staff can give emergency responders clear directions. Keep access roads open so fire apparatus can reach the site. Make sure employees know who calls 911, who gets guests away from the fire, who brings the extinguishing equipment and who meets arriving responders.

Think about the entire event too. If a hay wagon is at the fire site when something goes wrong, how will you move guests? If an ember catches nearby grass, who handles the initial response? If the fire suddenly spreads, where does the crowd go?

A well-run farm bonfire should feel spontaneous to the guests. Behind the scenes, it should be anything but. The farmer should know the site; the staff should know their jobs.

What makes a great bonfire is guests remembering the glowing coals, the sweet cider, the cold evening air and the laughter from the wagon ride. Give them the glow, keep the flames in check and make safety part of the experience from the very beginning.

by Enrico Villamaino

Editor Enrico Villamaino has been a volunteer firefighter since 2021. He is currently a captain.