PDFWAC 110-302-0351
ONB program campfire activity supervision and safety.
(1) To engage in a campfire activity, ONB providers must comply with this section and have permission from the landowner or park personnel to engage in campfire activities.
(2) ONB providers must have a signed and dated written permission for campfire activities from each child's parent or guardian in the form of a "fire hazard waiver."
(3) ONB staff must receive training on ONB program campfire policies and procedures before the staff may lead any campfire activity. To ensure the staff are able to properly build and extinguish a fire as described in this section, the ONB program must:
(a) Provide training campfire policies and procedures; and
(b) Complete written staff evaluations of each staff member's ability to properly build and extinguish a fire. The storage, preservation, and retention of the written staff evaluations required under this subsection must comply with WAC 110-302-0115 and other applicable requirements of this chapter.
(4) For each campfire activity, ONB providers must prepare and retain a record that the safe campfire practices required under this section were followed. Compliance with this subsection may include the creation of a checklist by the ONB provider that describes the safe campfire practices that were followed before and after each campfire activity.
(5) ONB providers must have and properly maintain a first-aid kit near the campfire that contains first-aid supplies made specifically to treat fire related injuries including, but not limited to, a fire blanket and sterile, nonadhesive bandages. Staff must be prepared to smother a fire on a child's clothing or hair using equipment including, but not limited to, water, a fire suppression blanket, or fire extinguisher.
(6) ONB providers must create a clearly visible boundary at least three feet away from the outer edge of the fire pit or structure containing the fire. This boundary may be marked by a rope, large rocks, or seating area made of logs or camp chairs. At all times, the area within the three-foot boundary must:
(a) Be clear of tripping hazards such as bags or other materials; and
(b) Have space in between the logs, camp chairs, or other seating so that children and adults may easily move into and out of the seating area.
(7) Prior to any campfire activity, ONB providers must use developmentally appropriate teaching practices to ensure children understand safe behavior around a campfire.
(8) Campfires must be built and extinguished according to safe fire practices provided by the U.S. Forest Service at https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety. Campfires:
(a) Must not be built during periods of high fire danger in the area;
(b) Must not be more than two feet in diameter;
(c) Must be in a fire pit or structure that is designed for the express purpose of safely containing a campfire including, when applicable, the fire pit or structure must contain an approved bottom; and
(d) Must not burn materials that release toxic substances, such as chemically treated wood, rubber, or plastics.
(9) Each ONB program class cannot have more than one campfire activity at any time.
(10) Before starting a campfire activity, ONB providers must have the necessary equipment and supplies to safely extinguish a campfire. For purposes of this subsection, equipment and supplies include, but are not limited to, sufficient water and a shovel. Fire extinguishers must be kept on-site and comply with the requirements described in WAC 110-302-0170.
(11) While campfires are burning, ONB providers must remain within the three-foot boundary around the fire to respond to any fire-tending needs and to prevent children from coming into close contact with the fire.
(12) There must be a one-to-one (1:1) staff-to-child ratio for any child within the three-foot boundary around the fire. A staff member must remain within arms' reach of that child and the child may only assist in setting up or tending to the fire in a developmentally appropriate way, such as by placing kindling or small sticks before the fire is started.
(13) Adults and children who tend to the fire must tie back long hair and secure loose clothing to reduce the risk of catching fire.
(14) ONB providers and program staff must prevent children from:
(a) Entering the three-foot boundary around the campfire without one-to-one supervision;
(b) Running and pushing within six feet of the edge of the fire-pit; and
(c) Inhaling campfire smoke.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.216.742. WSR 23-10-059, ยง 110-302-0351, filed 5/1/23, effective 6/1/23.]