Insulation of Embers: Sand insulates hot embers. When you cover a beach fire with sand, it may appear extinguished from the outside, but underneath, the sand creates an insulating layer that keeps embers red hot. These embers can remain hot for many hours and even days.

Invisible Hazard: When a fire is buried with sand, the danger becomes invisible. People walking on the beach might not realise there’s a hotbed of embers under the sand. This poses a significant burn risk, especially to children or pets who might unknowingly step on the area.

Delayed Re-ignition: The insulated, hot embers have the potential to reignite. A gust of wind or additional combustible material could easily cause these hidden embers to flare up again, potentially leading to a fire that could spread beyond the initially controlled area.

Environmental Damage: Covering a fire with sand might also have environmental impacts. The heat can sterilise the sand, killing microorganisms and affecting the local ecosystem. Plus, remnants of the fire, such as charcoal or debris, can be left behind, polluting the beach environment.

False Sense of Security: Similar to campfires in other settings, covering a beach fire with sand can give a false sense of security. People might leave the site thinking the fire is completely out, not realising they’ve left behind a potential hazard.