When is it appropriate to use the emergency distress signal with 3 fires spaced evenly?

The emergency distress signal of creating three fires spaced evenly is intended for use in a genuine emergency situation. This signal is recognized internationally as a cry for help and is used to alert rescuers to your urgent need for assistance. When signaling this way, it conveys the seriousness of your situation, distinguishing it from other uses such as signaling friends or simply being lost.

Using the signal during daylight, while advisable in certain contexts for visibility, does not fully capture when this distress signal should be employed. It specifically serves to indicate that there is an urgent need for help, making it crucial to use this method only in authentic emergencies where your safety or life is at risk. Other scenarios, like being lost in the forest, might seem to justify using the signal, but unless the situation has escalated to a genuine emergency—for example, if you are in danger or unable to find your way out—then it's not appropriate to utilize this signaling method.