Digging Damper from Ash © John Hay

Contrary to the title of this post–do not PLAY with fire.

Here in Texas, where red flag warnings (fire danger) are in place, it’s important to use common sense when building a fire–whether its in the barbecue pit or fire pit.

Nobody is better suited to offer tips on keeping it cool when working with flames, than the Master of the Flames, Andrew Dwyer.

Andrew, who is from Australia, is a chef and adventurer who regularly cooks in the wide open (and oft dry) Australian Outback with live fire.

He was in Austin recently for the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, and offered the following tips for stayng safe while cooking over open flames at home:

• Choose a location that’s away from low hanging tree branches, roof overhangs, or anything easily combustible
• Check the weather and wind conditions before building a fire–don’t build a fire during extremely windy days
• Check down wind of the fire pit to make sure there’s nothing combustible in case sparks escape
• Dig a pit that’s at least a foot deep and 3 to 5 feet in diameter
• Have a hose nearby with a sprayer, ready to go in case of, well, fire
• Keep several thick, damp blankets in the area to place over any errant cinders
• Use a long handled shovel to move the burning and otherwise hot materials in the pit
• Don’t try cooking on the fire directly, use the coals, ash and embers it creates for cooking
• Do not leave a fire unattended
• Completely douse the fire before calling it a night