Campfire Cake

 

A simple chocolate campfire cake that glows like a real fire when light shines behind it! The fire was made with melted red and yellow hard candy broken up into shards of different sizes. The logs for the candy fire were made with Almond Pocky.


It is no doubt that one of the most treasured camping pastimes is sitting around a warm, crackling campfire on a cold night making s'mores while sharing stories with family and friends. However, this timeless activity causes risk not only to people and wildlife but is also detrimental to the environment. This is not to mean we should stop burning campfires entirely; Rather, we should be mindful of their environmental impact and follow safety guidelines to avoid an unintentional wildfire.

 

Burning wood releases immense amounts of carbon dioxide along with many other toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that heavily contributes to global warming. Additionally, toxic particles released from the burning of campfires may pollute water sources from fire ash, harming marine life living in these waters and wildlife that drinks from these water sources. Above all other consequences, the most dangerous is the risk of starting a wildfire. According to a 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), close to 85% of wildfires in the US are caused by human carelessness. Although this includes other categories like the burning of debris, discarded cigarettes, acts of arson, fireworks, and equipment malfunctions, unattended or improper campfires contribute a significant portion of the total number of wildfires.

 

Wildfires can decimate forests and homes, destroy natural resources, cause fatalities, and pollute the air. In what's referred to as a positive feedback loop, climate change accelerates the frequency and intensity of wildfires, and the carbon released from these fires exacerbates climate change -- and the cycle continues.

 

Although we cannot stop wildfires due to the already worsening effects of climate change, we can be more mindful of our use of campfires and follow safety guidelines to ensure minimal damage. For example, a campfire should not be built if there are adverse weather conditions such as dry land or windy air as these conditions may cause sparks from a fire to spread. Additionally, campfires should be built away from overhanging branches and ideally circled with rocks, as they do not allow fire to spread. Lastly, do not ever leave a fire unattended. Aside from precautions in building a campfire itself, there are also ways to be environmentally conscious while using it. Trash should never be burned in the fire as it may release harmful chemicals into the air. It is also preferable to avoid using chemically treated wood for a campfire. Instead, opt for natural wood from dead sticks.

 

Sources:

Forest Service Research Data Archive (usda.gov)

Are Campfires Bad for the Environment? ( Eco-friendly and Safety tips ) – Glamping or Camping All Your Questions Answered

Wildfire Causes and Evaluations (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Wildfire | Impact (fema.gov)

 





Comments

Cammy said…
Great write up and such a creative cake!
Sarah said…
The flames look so real!
Hazel said…
A very cool (or should I say hot) cake!!!!!
Kelly said…
Beautiful!
Isabella said…
This cake is amazing!
Emma said…
Looks stunning!
Athena said…
The edible flames look so realistic!
Geeta said…
Incredibly brilliant idea!

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