There are few things better than a small fire at the end of a long day on the hills. The smell of woodsmoke, the warmth on your hands, the way it turns a damp camp into a home. But a fire is also the most visible mark we can leave on the landscape. In the UK, our uplands are fragile: thin soils, slow-growing mosses, peat that can smoulder underground for days. A scar from a fire can last for years. The good news is that with a bit of care, you can enjoy a fire and leave almost nothing behind. The golden rule is simple: use a stove where possible, and if you must have a fire, keep it small, use an established ring, and scatter the cold ashes before you leave.

Start with a Stove

Most hillwalking and wild camping in the UK is best done with a stove. Stoves are quick, clean, and legal in more places than open fires. In many areas – Dartmoor’s high moorland, parts of the Lake District, and most Scottish woodlands during dry spells – fires are banned or strongly discouraged. A stove lets you cook and make a brew without any risk of scorching the ground. Modern gas or alcohol stoves weigh very little. If you want the atmosphere of a fire, a candle lantern or a small stove with a windshield can give you a warm glow without the impact. Think of the stove as your default. It is not a compromise; it is the mark of someone who knows the hills.

When a Fire Is Acceptable

There are times when a fire is reasonable: an established campsite with a fire ring, a beach or riverbank where the ground is already bare, or a remote spot in winter when the ground is wet and the risk of wildfire is low. But even then, check local rules. In Scotland, the Outdoor Access Code asks you to keep fires small and use a stove where possible. In England and Wales, wild camping is limited, and fires are often prohibited on access land. Never light a fire on peat, in heather, or on tree roots. These can smoulder unseen and flare up hours later. If the ground is dry, if there is a wind, or if you are unsure, don’t light it. The hills will still be there tomorrow.

Use an Established Ring – and Respect It

If you find a fire ring already there, use it. Do not build a new one. An established ring concentrates the heat and protects the surrounding vegetation. But respect it: keep the fire inside the stones, not sprawling out. Do not move stones from walls or historic features. Do not add more stones to make it bigger. If the ring is full of old ash and rubbish, clear it out carefully – but leave the ring itself. Some rings are old and moss-covered; these are best left alone, as they show the ground is recovering. If you must use a ring, keep it small. A fire the size of a dinner plate is enough for a brew or a simple meal. You do not need a bonfire.

Keep It Small and Feed It Slowly

The biggest mistake is building a fire that is too big. A small fire is easier to control, uses less wood, and leaves less ash. Gather only dead wood that is already on the ground – never break branches from living trees, and never cut standing dead wood, as it is habitat for insects and birds. Use sticks no thicker than your wrist. Feed the fire a few sticks at a time, not a whole armful. This keeps flames low and heat intense. If you have a fire, you do not need to prove anything. A small fire that you can put your hand near is a good fire. If it is roaring and leaping, it is too big.

Putting It Out and Scattering the Ashes

When you are done, let the fire burn down to white ash. Do not leave half-burnt logs. Then douse it with water – plenty of it – and stir the ashes with a stick. Feel them with the back of your hand: they should be cold. If they are warm, add more water and stir again. Once cold, scatter the ashes widely over a large area, at least 20 metres from the fire ring, so they disappear into the soil. Do not leave a pile of ash. Do not bury them in a heap. Scatter them like you are sowing seed. Then check the ring: remove any rubbish, and leave the stones as you found them. If you built a new ring, dismantle it and scatter the stones and ashes. The goal is that the next person sees no sign you were there.

A Fire That Leaves No Trace

The best fires are the ones you remember, not the ones you can see. A stove is almost always the right choice. But if you do light a fire, keep it small, use an established ring, burn only dead wood, and scatter the cold ashes. That way you get the warmth and the ritual without leaving a scar. The hills are for everyone, and for the future. A little care now means the same spot will welcome the next walker, and the one after that.