While many modern-day hammocks do have some fire and heat resistance, hammocks are NOT fireproof and will burn or melt if placed too close to fire or heat.  

A good general rule of thumb is to maintain 72 inches or 6 feet from a wood-burning fire pit and 60 inches or 5 feet away from a gas-burning fire pit. Never put your hammock directly over a fire pit. 

Hammocks vary in size, shape, and materials they’re made from. Some hammocks and materials are much better around heat than others. 

Typically Nylon hammocks do the best with fire resistance and are the ideal choice for those going camping or hammocking by the fire in the mountains.  

For those that hammock in the backyard by the gas fire pit, you could probably get away with a rope or polyester hammock as long as you don’t get too close to the flame.

How far should a Hammock be from a fire pit?

For a wood-burning fire pit, you should plan on the edge of your hammock at least 72 inches or 6 feet from the fire pit.  For a gas fire pit, you can be closer, around 60 inches or 5 feet. 

Wood-burning fire pits burn much hotter than gas fire pits. Wood puts out around 30,000 BTUs ( British Thermal Units) while gas puts out around 10,000 BTUs. This means you can sit much closer to a gas fire pit than wood-burning pits. Not to mention, you can also control the size of the flame and the heat it puts out.  

A wood-burning fire pit is typically used as a campsite firepit. These traditional woodburning pits are the most common fire pits and will most likely be the ones you’re hammocking by.   you will want extra space to account for the variations of 

Are Hammock Tarps flammable?

Most tarps are NOT fire resistant and will burn if placed too close to the fire. Some specialized hammock camping tarps are treated and do have some level of fire resistance. 

That being said, polyethylene tarps are inherently treated with fire-resistant and fire-retardant chemical bonds. Thus making Poly tarps the preferred choice for those wanting a tarp around heat or fire.

Fire-resistant hammock tarps are often made with flame-resistant materials and are treated with chemicals to resist heat and fire. Hammock tarps that are constructed with mesh, polyester, or cotton canvas, will likely catch fire, melt, or be damaged when placed too close to fire or heat.

If you’re looking for a fire-resistant hammock tarp, you’ll want to look for something that has been treated or a tarp made of polyethylene.  While not completely fireproof, polyethylene does have inherent flame resistance and flame-retardant chemical bonding. This tarp will often last the longest if you plan to have something that will more frequently be by flames and heat.

How to get rid of the smoke smell in a hammock

Hammocks, like other cloth and materials, tend to absorb the smoke smell when they’re around a campfire. Sometimes it may be difficult to clean and fully get rid of the smoke smell. But don’t worry! These 3 methods can help you restore your smoke-damaged hammock.

1. Use Baking Soda to Draw out the Smoke Odor

Anyone who is familiar with or has been using baking soda before knows that it can be used to eliminate odors. You can use a trash bag or a plastic bag for this procedure. All you have to do is to fill the bag halfway with baking soda and zip it tight.

Shake your hammock for about two minutes to ensure that the baking soda covers every inch of the material. You can put it in the fridge overnight, and the baking soda will eliminate the smoky smell it picked up during the camp.

The next day, take the bag outside and shake the clothes to get rid of the baking soda. You can also use this trick to eliminate cigarette smoke smell from your hammock.

2. Removing Smoke Smell After a Wash

If the smoke is still there after washing your hammock, you might spray an odor remover throughout it. You may either purchase a ready-made spray or make them yourself. To make your DIY odor-eliminating spray, combine vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

You may also want to try putting at least 20 drops of essential oil into the spray bottle. A scent with a hint of lemon or mint will always be a great addition.

3. Use steam to pull the smoke smell out of your Hammock

You can use steam to clean your hammock and pull out that smoke smell. To do this, first, check the label to see whether heating the item may damage it. Put some distilled water in your iron’s steaming section and begin steaming your hammock. 

Steaming your hammock should draw out any odors and smells your hammock has picked up from regular use. When you’re finished cleaning your hammock, make sure you properly dry and store it so it doesn’t develop mold or mildew.

You can also use this approach for clothing or other fabric materials. For even better results, try using a blended mix of three parts rubbing alcohol to one part of distilled water to neutralize the odor.

After using your hammock be sure to store it properly – somewhere dry and out of the sun. For storage tips check out our article 6 Step-by-Step Guide for Storing Your Hammock.

In Conclusion

Hammocks and Hammock tarps are generally not fireproof. If you plan on having your hammock near or around a fire, you should consider using hammocking gear made from fire-resistant materials and maintain a safe distance away from the fire. 

The unfortunate reality is that you run a risk whenever your gear is near and around a fire.  Pay attention to how close your gear is to the fire and keep an eye out for any embers floating around. As long as you maintain a safe distance away from the fire, you should be able to enjoy your hammock and a nice warm fire.