Howdy,
My wife and I are making a return to the TRF after 7 years away and I noticed that there was a change in the camping rules. It states that there is absolutely no fires.
My question is, are we no longer able to have an above ground fire pit? If not, what if it has a metal netting to prevent the spread of flames?
What about grills and tiki torches? I am rather concerned that all my "flaming" needs will be shutdown. I am not one of those that like a large fire by any means but i like a small fire and would like to grill some food each night.
Much appreciated.
Off the ground fire pits, tiki torches, and grills are all fine.
Eldatari is correct.
They put the kabosh to "on ground" and "in ground" fires.
The not so new quickie mart in the camp ground sells firewood - but you're better off picking some up before you arrive. I believe they were selling 11 pieces for $10 last year. Way over priced. If all goes well, our camp should have a ton of firewood. Its not mine so I don't know if it will be sold off at massively undercutting prices or just given away. I know for a fact that we won't be able to burn all of it opening weekend and none of it will be leaving with us. (o:
You all have just made my weekend. I am sitting here already packing the truck and now I get to fill that hole with some wood!! Good times!!
Weird....last year i had a fire ring and they didnt say anything? From what i was told as long as its contained its ok. OPEN FIRES NOT OK.
Yeah, that's what I always remembered to. As long as you contained it, you were pretty good. Now to gather some wood and I should be good to go.
Same here a guy sells firewood right down the street from my house at good prices so im good to go 8)
I'm gettin' FREE firewood this year. A friend of mine has several cords at his house and said I could take as much as I could fit in the bed of my pickup. Unfortunately, that's where all my gear is! So I've got one of those canvas cargo-toppers you strap to the top of the car...gonna STUFF it with wood. And it will fit nicely over my bed cover. :)
Quote from: batninja on October 06, 2010, 06:21:55 AM
I'm gettin' FREE firewood this year. A friend of mine has several cords at his house and said I could take as much as I could fit in the bed of my pickup. Unfortunately, that's where all my gear is! So I've got one of those canvas cargo-toppers you strap to the top of the car...gonna STUFF it with wood. And it will fit nicely over my bed cover. :)
Sweet i have to figure out how im gonna fit our firewood in the back of my truck.
Im trying to figure out what type of fire I can have on the camp ground? Im so confused. If its in ground, with bricks or something containing it, will that be ok or will I need a screen for it as well?
i haven't been camping out there in 4 years or so, and then we had an inground fire, and it was fine.
Contained fires are ok. No big bonfires or such. You would probably get away with one you dug and lined, but don't hold me or this forum responsible if not. Please make sure to fill the hole back in after extinguishing it well.
I guess we'll take our chances. I'll bring some brick from my home to contain it and hope for the best! Thanks for the help.
Hhhhmmm, well.....There has been a 'change of the guard' so to speak since opening weekend. I am not sure how different things will be at camp, but I would say you would be better off getting a fire pit at one of the big box stores or constructing one that has legs.
But that is just my thought. :) I'd hate for y'all to have to put out your fire, escpecially if it's cold out.
I used to dig my fire pits and line them and I was told by the friendly neighborhood law enforcement I couldn't do it anymore. And mine were to Boyscout regs. So do yourself a favor and pick up a fire ring or a fire pit that is easily transportable. As Bonny noted, you don't want to be out in the cold without a fire (o:
ahh alright. we're going to ask our friend who's camp master for chaos whats going on as well.
Grimes County issued a burn ban on October 12 which means absolutely no outdoor fires of any type. Whether TRF enforces it is another matter, but you could face a fine from law enforcement. The burn ban is posted on the Grimes Co. website under Public Notices.
I always thought those applied to brush burning, ground fires, leaves/trash fires, and the like. Contained off the ground fires where ok, but I could be wrong. The county site isnt very specific.
I assume folks had fires going this past weekend with no issues?
You can call the County offices @ (936 ) 873-4476 to ask if Charcoal grills are allowed, which I believe would be the only exception to the ban.
Quote from: crashbot on October 20, 2010, 09:56:30 AM
I always thought those applied to brush burning, ground fires, leaves/trash fires, and the like. Contained off the ground fires where ok, but I could be wrong. The county site isnt very specific.
I assume folks had fires going this past weekend with no issues?
I am leaning toward what you posted. I looked on the Grimes County site too. I wouldn't think that bbq's and such would fall under that category. I think the drum circle area even has what can be loosely considered a fire line around it with all the sand and such... :-\ We shall see this weekend.
Me and my wife have been to trf last 7 years camped last 5 and saw that change about fires so i emailed trf. Generaly dig a small pit and have a metal from to put around it and was afraid i would have to borrow a friends legged fire pit. The answering email basicly said they are officialy under burn ban and thats why there no fires, but also hinted that they would not be inforcing it so long as the fires were kept small and contained. Going to make a fire here and just see what happens. If anyone else has any news about fire/camping would be glad to hear it, going halloween weekend here.
Anyone else have any news about fires this weekend? I plan on bring my fire ring as usual. I have never had an issue with using it before. They still overlooking having fires out there? Its going to be quite cold on friday and i dont want us to freeze especially my little boy.
Quote from: SolRac on October 26, 2010, 07:47:07 PM
Anyone else have any news about fires this weekend? I plan on bring my fire ring as usual. I have never had an issue with using it before. They still overlooking having fires out there? Its going to be quite cold on friday and i dont want us to freeze especially my little boy.
No issues last weekend. Even the drum circle was going.
Ahhh thank god. Thanks a bunch! Cya this weekend!
The burn ban has been in effect since Tues., Oct. 12. Two weekends have gone by with no ban on fires at the trf campgrounds that I know of, so shouldn't we be ok this weekend?
Last year (IIRC), the on-site convenience store was renting "acceptable" metal fire containers. Are they still doing so?
The advantage was that we didn't have to drive back to Beaumont with a smelly, soot-ridden firepit in the back of the car.
Looking forward to camping this weekend! The weather looks to be absolutely gorgeous...
I just got word from camp... NO FIRES, WHAT SO EVER!
This maybe because of all the wind & dry conditions and they may change it after the Fire Watch is dropped but as of right now... Na Da! Not even BBQ grills(charcoal)!!
*I'm glad i got stuff for samiches too*
Please keep us informed of any changes.
Edit: Would gas grills be ok? It isn't a charcoal grill but I was curious.
Its gonna be one cold night if y'all don't get some fire out there - Crossin my limbs for ya.
/sigh
EMS is gonna have their hands full this weekend...
WOW! That's gonna make for one uncomfortable weekend with no warmth or warm food in the campground. :(
I'm dragging my Mr. Buddy and propane tank out where we put our file bowl and we'll sit around it and pretend it's a beautiful fire bowl of hot, red, crackling wood!
(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCYiEgJrBazr1lRyyZjaxzWlRKZuSdO5iZWF78e-REOM_yka0&t=1&usg=__XeiCZ50-mAZnmNmcshQyeYrbgWc=) = (http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmvuuw-SNluXsB8xJ0IKpXX8ZQlG05WKGfBBrt4HcqE9yLn7E&t=1&usg=__5e9twzsqVuQs7ajib1KcsA4k7Zc=) It's gonna take a big imagination!
I'm sure propane stoves are still allowed as well.
At camp. Fires must have a cover. No drum circle fire. I was told this will be in effect all weekend. The winds are strong but should start dying down once the coolfront gets here.
No drum circle fire, WOW! That will sure be diffrent. Were will all the little drunk tiny boppers go?
Quote from: brier patch charlie on October 28, 2010, 07:52:35 PM
No drum circle fire, WOW! That will sure be diffrent. Were will all the little drunk tiny boppers go?
Unfortunately to our camps probably. Just spent 88 bucks on a new fire pit with cover. Wal mart didnt have the one i wanted.
no campfire would be bad, but no grills or anything means no camping for me. Understand the burn ban but that doesnt cover grills as far as i know so hopefully its just a one night its to windy lets play it safe kind of thing.
Anyone who lives down closer to the area know about any rain? was sure the burn ban was going to be lifted this week as the weather report ive got has shown 3 days of rain in the last two weeks, checked the county website and all i could get was burn ban instated on the 12 next meeting the 26
No rain in the past 2+ months and no rain in the near future. The word "drought" comes to mind.
Looks like October will have no Official rain. All the vegetation is very dry.
has anyone said anything about tiki torchs?
well crap...now almost glad i got out of bed at 0330...time enough to re-tetris the truck to fit a covered fire bowl.
Quote from: Captain Kilian on October 29, 2010, 03:43:51 AM
well crap...now almost glad i got out of bed at 0330...time enough to re-tetris the truck to fit a covered fire bowl.
Gotta love playing the tetris packing game!
Thats my favorite packing game - as long as the contents are faire camping gear. My next favorite is the layout the campsite game (o:
The winds are gone. Haven't heard of any changes yet. I would think tikis fall in the no open flame category. :/. As long as you have a lid for your bbq's it's ok. We have a cook off pit on site this weekend and that is okay.
I saw many tiki torches up last weekend. Open flames were also fine, just no fire on the actual ground.
Our group 'The Horn' had two firepits going all weekend. One was in ground. We also had 6 Tiki Torches with colored flame. The police ran through our camp to find a guy who was breaking into tents and said nothing.
Hope they find the people. I really want to go back but not a the cost of theft.
How did everyone fair this weekend? I saw the forcast that there is to be rain Monday & Tuesday. Hopefully that will lay the dust.
Add in that it is suppose to be down in the 30's !!!!! Friday night. I hope that we can have SOME sort of fires for our use. Right now we do NOT have the money to purchase one of those mini propane heaters for our tent.
Quote from: LadyStitch on November 01, 2010, 09:20:44 AM
...Right now we do NOT have the money to purchase one of those mini propane heaters for our tent.
I highly recommend putting some pennies aside for one. They really do come in handy. Ours was very beneficial during the Sherwood season. We've even pulled it out of the tent and set it up on the deck in the morning to warm us while a fire was being built at the TRF camp. We purchased a separate hose for ours so that we could run it off a 5 gallon tank rather than the smaller 1lb tanks.
If you're going to camp, you need to have someone there to keep you warm!
Seriously, if you're having trouble keeping warm, you may want to reconsider the tent you are using. I used to use a two-man backpacking tent, and was never cold, even in sub-freezing weather. Just like dressing, it's all about layers. In real cold weather, I would add the rain fly outside, and use the vapor liner inside. The entire tent, poles included was just a few pounds.
A stand-up height tent is good for a common area for partying and the like, but for sleeping, minimize the volume of the space.
Quote from: LadyStitch on November 01, 2010, 09:20:44 AM
How did everyone fair this weekend? I saw the forcast that there is to be rain Monday & Tuesday. Hopefully that will lay the dust.
Add in that it is suppose to be down in the 30's !!!!! Friday night. I hope that we can have SOME sort of fires for our use. Right now we do NOT have the money to purchase one of those mini propane heaters for our tent.
TRF/The authorities let us have fires as long as they were well contained... chimeas and pits that have screens were ok... Now, when they first opened camp, it was ANY fire, other than camp stoves.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on November 01, 2010, 02:12:48 PM
If you're going to camp, you need to have someone there to keep you warm!
Seriously, if you're having trouble keeping warm, you may want to reconsider the tent you are using. I used to use a two-man backpacking tent, and was never cold, even in sub-freezing weather. Just like dressing, it's all about layers. In real cold weather, I would add the rain fly outside, and use the vapor liner inside. The entire tent, poles included was just a few pounds.
A stand-up height tent is good for a common area for partying and the like, but for sleeping, minimize the volume of the space.
The pirate likes a stand up tent that he can have room for him to get dressed in. The bigger the better is his idea. Though after the past few years we may go with a different type because it just feels too big. Current is 12x15.
Quote from: LadyStitch on November 01, 2010, 02:21:54 PM
The pirate likes a stand up tent that he can have room for him to get dressed in. The bigger the better is his idea. Though after the past few years we may go with a different type because it just feels too big. Current is 12x15.
Try adding a few of these accessories and it won't feel too big. LOL.
http://www.currentmiddleages.org/tents/furniture.htm
just getting back and recovering from the weekend wanted to put in my say on the fires. We ended up building a small (and i mean very small) fire in a $20 barbeque pit from walmart since they had said when i called the day we left that if u could put a lid on it then it would be ok. Friday night we were originaly told to put it out, we just stopped feeding it wood and were letting it burn out when later another cop came by took another look at it and said yeah thats ok, only to have another one come by and stand there till we put water on it to put it out, only to have the cop from earlier come back and ask why we had put the fire out (be nice to the cops offered him a cold bottle of water so he remember us) and he said no thats ok light it back up he would talk to the other guy, only to have another cop later on come and question us on the fire. All between around 8pm-3am friday night. Saturday night rolls around and from what i could see the cops gave up trying. Heard someone say the burn ban was lifted due to oncoming rain/ high humidity not sure really. Still kept our fire in the grill but lit the tiki torches no one ever said anything though we did keep a close eye on everything because the grass was VERY easy to light my wifes cigarette caused a abit of it to catch that we stomped out. Apparnetly sunday there was even abit of a grass fire that the campers helped put out.
Overall was a fun faire and as usual got to give it to cops for trying to be reasonable. Just wish they could have had the rules lined up a little better. Wondering if it was some of thems first time doing campsite security due to the aggressive attitude they were getting to a guy and two women cooking some burgers and being very polite. Never know maybe they had a jerk just before us.
Anyway rain was expected today but we could take the dust for another night, headed over to a friends house in conroe to use the shower and decided to just stay the night there and drive home today.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on November 01, 2010, 02:12:48 PM
If you're going to camp, you need to have someone there to keep you warm!
Seriously, if you're having trouble keeping warm, you may want to reconsider the tent you are using. I used to use a two-man backpacking tent, and was never cold, even in sub-freezing weather. Just like dressing, it's all about layers. In real cold weather, I would add the rain fly outside, and use the vapor liner inside. The entire tent, poles included was just a few pounds.
A stand-up height tent is good for a common area for partying and the like, but for sleeping, minimize the volume of the space.
If it were any other kind of camping then ren faire camping I would have to agree. But at ren camp I want as much room as I can possibly get in a tent. My tent setup consists of two cots that I place a queen size air mattress on. This allows me to sleep off the ground and gives me storage space under the bed to keep stuff out of the way to allow room to walk around in the tent. If it gets cold I put insulated backpacker foam pads between me and the air mattress. This holds all the heat in and the awesome Mr Heater Big Buddy keeps the air in the tent a tolerable temp and keeps our noses from freezing throughout the night.
Plenty of rain the last couple of days. Fires shouldn't be a problem this weekend.
Staking tents down shouldn't be either. Opening weekend I was bending galvanized nails in that hard @ss rock.
There is a reason we pack a couple sledge hammers to put stakes in some years. Then again other's the ground is so wet we can't keep the rain fly's taught. The one time when you want them be tight, you can't get them to work.
Thats why I really don't like a rainfly tent.
how about this... if you choose to camp in participants camp as a performance co member we cannot have fire of any kind! NONE... no tiki torches...no fire pits... we were told only the small coleman grill is acceptable... so think of all the poor freezing participants next time you have your feet propped up by a warm fire in patrons camp! I don't have a clue why they refuse to give us fire... and give patrons fire... most of you guys are good... but really you have seen the types that wonder patrons camp! oh lord...
What types would that be, judge much?
Anyway, I hope there is enough moisture over the next few weeks, Im going to be pretty bummed if I have to sit out there in the dark with no fire.
I think she's referring to the sixteen year old drunk and usually drugged up children wandering around. Although drunk drugged up adults aren't any better (o:
Quotemost of you guys are good
yes.... the 16 year old drunks and the drugged up people that can barely walk straight and are out there for no other reason than to have a rave or something. I camped patrons before becoming a performer... I am judging only on what I saw when a man came up to camp and had an argument with a coleman lantern about how pompous the lantern was... tried to start a fight in camp then asked us if we knew where he could get more tabs... the next morning a guy came up with medical taped hands... no gauze and 2 cigarettes in his hand and was asking for a light... he was so high and had fallen in the drum circle fire and burned his hands up and did a bad tape job on them. Yes lets give people like THAT use of fire! In participants camp the craziest thing I have seen was... well... nothing like that. We have to be quiet by 11 and most of us just take that quiet time as bed time. My point being... we can't have fire... they know us and we aren't doing crazy things yet a large amount of patrons no one knows come out there every weekend and are given free reign to build fires within certain guidelines... and some of those patrons act like what I described above. The good people of RF are NOT those patrons. You guys keep on going with your fire! I just wish I could have fire! lol
Fae - They probably figure that without a fire, y'all will be more apt not to stay up all night. Theres no telling (or maybe there is) what cast before you got into trouble and ruined it for generations to come (o:
LOL right! I know a few still around that are probably the reason for most of the participant rules! I wanna be warm too though! lol
sneak over to patrons and sit by a fire! we won't tell... ;)
yea what he said, specially if you sit in my lap at my fire LOL
Quote from: FaeHollow on November 04, 2010, 06:34:42 PM
how about this... if you choose to camp in participants camp as a performance co member we cannot have fire of any kind! NONE... no tiki torches...no fire pits... we were told only the small coleman grill is acceptable... so think of all the poor freezing participants next time you have your feet propped up by a warm fire in patrons camp! I don't have a clue why they refuse to give us fire... and give patrons fire... most of you guys are good... but really you have seen the types that wonder patrons camp! oh lord...
I even got slapped for my kitchen when I came out to cook during rehersals.
Zaubon
Well Boss... How dare you cook for perfomers!
*Next time give the guy who came out rum...*
Right... how dare he... and how dare I want a warm meal when the day is out and I am trapped backstage while traffic clears and how dare I not be able to afford the 400 dollars it takes to procure the use of electricity! :D
Quote from: FaeHollow on November 05, 2010, 12:33:53 PM
...and how dare I not be able to afford the 400 dollars it takes to procure the use of electricity! :D
Highway robbery to be sure ;o)
so i thought i heard about another fire warning in the area again. probably due to the winds. i hope we get some gentle rrrr in the coming week to help keep things from drying out.
I apologize if I took the comment the wrong way. I can be sensitive that way, :D.
We are over 3" of r for Nov but it looks like its about -4 ytd.
One of our guys got stopped at the gate and asked why he was coming in to camp so late on a SATURDAY night. All he said is "I'm bring propane so my friends don't freeze." They let him in.
To be honest we didn't get our fire that high. We ended up on the coldest night with the propane patio heater and tent heater going in our large canopy. Then add in the 4 gallons of coffee we had brewing, most of us stayed warm.
We don't use a tent heater, but I always pack enough bedding to keep us toasty, and usually have to throw off some covers in the middle of the night. Of course, the latest we've camped down there is AHE, but even on Friday this year we were warm, and there were no fires in camp that night. As long as my feet are warm I can sleep with no problems, and those fuzzy fleece throws are great for layering between bedding. I always just use my regular winter bedding, and use the sleeping bags for extra insulation between the air mattress and the memory foam topper... :D
I was toasty this weekend... I double lined my sleeping bag with blankets and then wore shorts and a tank top... thermal socks and a beanie... tucked myself in and covered my face a bit and was warm all night!
Quote from: FaeHollow on November 09, 2010, 03:41:13 PM
I was toasty this weekend... I double lined my sleeping bag with blankets and then wore shorts and a tank top... thermal socks and a beanie... tucked myself in and covered my face a bit and was warm all night!
So How cold did it get?? last weekend?
well it looks like some rrrr is in the forecast so fires may be an issue as far as keeping them lit... :-\ maybe it will only rrrr during the day...
So, did people have any fires this past weekend? I dont care about the heat, I can keep warm with clothing. I just like to sit around the fire and bs with my mates.
I wont be happy if I have to sit in the dark. Looks like there will be some moisture over the next couple days and some more next week.
Quote from: beckgam462 on November 09, 2010, 08:01:34 PM
So How cold did it get?? last weekend?
Friday night it got down to 35, Saturday down to 38-40, Sunday Night down to 43. At least that is what the weather service we were checking said.
Quote from: crashbot on November 09, 2010, 08:20:36 PM
So, did people have any fires this past weekend? I dont care about the heat, I can keep warm with clothing. I just like to sit around the fire and bs with my mates.
I wont be happy if I have to sit in the dark. Looks like there will be some moisture over the next couple days and some more next week.
Past weekend I hardly left our fire. Especially saturday night/sunday morning, where it was a little more damp. About 1:30am we must of hit a dewpoint or something because the two of us sitting around our fire felt the temperature drop. We all still had a ball.
Just make sure you fire pit is elevated off the ground and screened and you should be good to go.
off the ground fires were fine last weekend. Officers drove past us several times with no comment. Just be careful, even with the rain there is a lot of dead grass everywhere.
When I went Opening weekend Elevated Fire pits were Okay.
On haloween weekend there was a burn ban in effect, they put out the Big Bon Fire on friday and were going around warning people about having large fires around their camp ground. Saturday life was back to normal.
Guess it kinda depends on how the weather conditions are.
The ONLY time I saw the cops irritated at someone was Monday morning. Some one bugged out early that morning and left their ground fire going. They had to dump 50 gallons of water on it to make it go out. Trust me they were NOT amused.
Now that's just bad form. It also makes the authorities look at all of us with suspicion, since they can't pin it on whoever actually DID it.
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on November 10, 2010, 02:38:59 PM
Now that's just bad form. It also makes the authorities look at all of us with suspicion, since they can't pin it on whoever actually DID it.
This is verry true. Sadly it is the one or two morons that screw it up for all of us.
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on November 10, 2010, 02:38:59 PM
Now that's just bad form. It also makes the authorities look at all of us with suspicion, since they can't pin it on whoever actually DID it.
Another excellent reason for reserved spots (o:
I think they knew who did it because they were coming around to all the camps to make sure we were packing to leave.
It is sad to say that it is always the idots who spoil it for the people who follow the rules. Makes me wonder if they watched enoug smokey the bear growing up. ;)
Quote from: LadyStitch on November 10, 2010, 02:23:15 PM
The ONLY time I saw the cops irritated at someone was Monday morning. Some one bugged out early that morning and left their ground fire going. They had to dump 50 gallons of water on it to make it go out. Trust me they were NOT amused.
Couple of years ago the same thing happen in the camp just to us. Some kids just picked up and left their fire, several of us from surrounding camps went over and put it out. Really makes you wonder about some peoples up bringing how can became a semi-adult without learning at least some responsibility. Maybe they are all rised by politicians?
Makes you wonder...how do they do anything if they have no brain?!?
I know quite a few people that get a lot done without any brains at all. Not all of it good, mind you, but still a lot.
Quote from: ravic on November 10, 2010, 05:19:12 PM
I know quite a few people that get a lot done without any brains at all. Not all of it good, mind you, but still a lot.
You sooooo owe me a new monitor!!! :D :D :D (thank goodness it was only water, though, because I'm pretty sure anything else would have hurt REALLY bad coming out that fast!)
RIOT'S DISEASE!! :D
Yep! It's ALLL her fault!!!
Well, and a little Ravic's fault, also, I guess... :P heheh
burn ban is still active. keep fires covered, etc.
Wont be for much longer lots of wet stuff coming for Todd Mission.
I'm alittle lost.. so patrons can have fires while performers can't? what about vendors? Warn you I'm just a wee bit sleepy.. so I might read this all over again and figure it out..
No fires for performers. I'm not sure about vendors, but I believe they have to follow the same rules.
Randal
Quote from: Randal on November 15, 2010, 06:54:52 AM
No fires for performers. I'm not sure about vendors, but I believe they have to follow the same rules.
Randal
No fires in Participants campground.
I got slapped during rehersals for a propane stove.
Zaubon
Indeed... they're quite strict about us having no fires. Bleh.
I find that abit unfair... I'm friends with a few performers and they love to blow off the rest of their energy by the fire practicing, dancing, and making up new tricks.. I don't think it works too well without fire.. What do you do for cooking... morning tea..
We use crockpots, microwaves, and other such wonderful electric devices. If we don't have that, we go buy food, or eat in grounds. I'm lucky to have friends that have RV's, so I'm not wanting for anything.
WarCat? ??? :D
There cat! (shades of Young Frankenstein)
Don't judge me... it was time for a change. Blue is NO MORE!
Quote from: WarCat on November 16, 2010, 02:05:58 PM
Don't judge me... it was time for a change. Blue is NO MORE!
Change!? Are we allowed to do that? Doesn't change cause chaos?
I like Warcat. ;D