I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling that relaxing by the campfire with your group at the end of the day and enjoying the ambiance is a quintessential part of the BWCAW experience. With the current fire ban in place, I've been trying to dream up some alternatives to set on top of the fire grate and make things feel as close to normal as possible, in a responsible way.

Some thoughts I had so far were:
- Hurricane lantern (asked the USFS about this option and whether any type of flame is acceptable - still waiting a response but in the fire ban FAQs they do say candles and the like are not technically prohibited, but discouraged). I realize this brings some inherent risk, and there are other drawbacks as well (weight, bulk, fragility)
- LED lantern (safe, long life, maybe too bright)
- String lights/Fairy lights. I've seen folks use some waterproof fairy lights on their hammock setup before - been trying to figure out how long the battery on those might last.
- Silliest option I saw on amazon that might just work: LED tea lights with 100hr runtime. maybe a few of those would do the trick?

What are others thoughts? Any bright (or dim) ideas? (pun intended)

Amazon has a 3d fake fire made of cardboard for 7.99. You can suspend a small flashlight behind it to swing around in the wind. :) Cheapest option. They also make led fake fires, but it would be heavier and bulkier.

Lightest option is hanging out on shore watching the rocking awesome sunsets. That is one good thing about the smoke haze.

Sit by the lake and watch your lighted slip bobber go down.

lots of the string lights are solar powered.
I often do not have a fire preferring watching the sunset and stars come out. On a full moon night a paddle might be in order. Lots to do without a fire.

This string adds a certain ambience to a campsite.

Since I first went under a fire ban, I rarely have one now, preferring to sit in the dark (preserves night vision), listen to night sounds, view the sky, etc. This is an opportunity to try that.

I can say that I am one of those that really love to have a campfire at night and have been known to change my plans during a fire ban. However on the last night of my most recent trip my tripping partner went to bed early and I did not want to disturb him by keeping the fire going. So I ended up just sitting in front of my tent which was fairly close to shore with my dog sleeping inside and just sipped on my bourbon listening to the night sounds and watching the sky. And I have to tell you that was my absolute favorite part of the trip! Maybe give it a shot, you'd be surprised at how enjoyable it can be.

Savage Voyageur: "Sit by the lake and watch your lighted slip bobber go down."

In complete agreement...

If you're up for carrying it, a white gas Coleman lantern makes for a nice substitute. I'm not talking about the stupid LED ones, or the fluroescent bulb ones, but a real white gas one. That hiss is almost as good as the campfire crackle.

Yes, I'd rather sit by the water and watch for turtles, beavers and the loons interacting. Then the changes in the sky with a hot drink. The cardboard fire is funny though. Not sure why it even exists.

The best part of camping at Big Bend NP is going to the hill behind the campground (RGV) and watching the sun set over Boquillas, the river and the Sierra Del Carmen. Don't miss it if you ever get down there. It's a lot easier than the South Rim sunset. My son and I sat on a couple of rocks one level down from the top when he was 12 or so and just watched all the colors and reflections changing and hearing the wind. One of those moments you remember.

We often sit under the tarp with Luci lights hanging down and play cards. It's similar to sitting around the campfire, except you don't have to look for as much firewood.

Could try this:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Firefly-Outdoor-Gear-100-Lumen-Youth-Lantern-3-AA-Batteries-Not-Included-Power-Type-Batteries/394714844

No fire was plenty weird, but when I dug my camp clothes out to throw in a pile on the laundry room floor, there wasn't the usual gag reflex. Take the good with the bad, I guess.

I would think having fires, the smoke would slightly mask/mitigate the dirty clothes stench.

A1t2o: "We often sit under the tarp with Luci lights hanging down and play cards. It's similar to sitting around the campfire, except you don't have to look for as much firewood."

This describes our trip a couple weeks ago perfectly. Red headlamp poker was an absolute blast.

Well since yer not carrying an axe and a bow saw you
could make the same weight by taking a laptop with
a "campfire video" playing.

That's a JOKE, Son.
Larry

No one like to just sit under the stars without artificial light?

Portable Campfire

ockycamper: "No one like to just sit under the stars without artificial light?
"

I do especially if I can get a trip in with no moon. And if the fire ban continues I’ll be doing that at the end of the month.