A friend and I went on a short trip with established backpacker camps. When we arrived at the site there was a small pile of thin sticks next to the fire ring. That night we sat close to the small fire, loving the smoke around us for keeping most of the flying insects away.

A couple of days later our faces and necks became itchy, red, and swollen. I'm suseptible to poison oak, and have had it several times. Never this bad, though. I was worried about all of the smoke I must have inhaled, so I went to the doctor. The steroids got rid of the problem in a few days.

I dislike taking medication, but not as much as my friend. He was an itchy mess for several days, but it eventually passed.

The next time I see wood next to fire ring, I'll double-check it against the brush in the surrounding area.