The primary concern here is safety, both for the visitor and for the bear. Safety of the bears is also a concern. Once a bear is habituated to people, usually because it associates people with food, it can rapidly become a problem bear, and will have to be dealt with accordingly, often at the expense of its life. The use of campfires in the backcountry was once a necessity for cooking and heat, but the development of versatile and efficient campstoves has facilitated a shift away from the traditional fire. With increased use of the backcountry, the natural appearance of many areas has been compromised by overuse of fires and an increasing demand for firewood.
Stoves are now almost essential equipment for minimum-impact camping.
The heat from fires or stoves can cause impact, and so can the concentrated trampling of people cooking or socializing. Take care to select a durable site for any use of fire. Consideration of Others Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be aware of your firearm around others. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.