Josh Thurmond

Josh Thurmond is the founder and CEO of LavaBox Portable Campfires, the Denver company that builds propane campfires inside steel ammo cans so people can have a fire under the fire bans that now cover much of the American West. His title on the company's own site is Chief Eruption Officer, and he still assembles and inspects boxes in the warehouse.

LavaBox began in 2020, in a Colorado fire season that had closed the state to open flames. A fellow board member at the Colorado Whitewater Association asked whether he could build something better than the heavy round fire pits used on overnight river trips. He said he could make one out of an ammo can, went home, and arrived at the LavaBox on the seventh attempt. The first 40 units sold in a day. The box was the first restriction proof fire pit to reach the market after the bans took hold, and it later drew three offers on ABC's Shark Tank, where he accepted a $200,000 deal on air and then, nearly a year after filming, chose to keep the company independent.

Before LavaBox he spent more than 25 years as an expedition leader and raft, kayak and climbing guide, including five years at Confluence Kayaks in Denver, and he holds a Level 4 whitewater instructor certification from the American Canoe Association. His working life ran alongside the river: seven years in the Special Programs Unit of the Denver District Attorney's Office, then operations and program leadership at the National Sports Center for the Disabled, Adam's Camp and Handbid. He trained as a chef at Johnson & Wales before studying history and then public administration in Denver.

LavaBox gives a dollar from every box sold to Team River Runner, the veterans' paddling program where he has been a chapter coordinator since 2014, and is a founding partner of Protect Our Rivers.

At a glance

Career

• 2020 to presentFounder and CEO, LavaBox Portable CampfiresDenver. Portable propane campfires in ammo cans, sold direct at fireanytime.com and through outdoor retailers.
• 2019 to 2020Director of Client Services, HandbidFundraising and auction software. Client onboarding, retention and event staffing during the move to virtual events.
• 2017 to 2019Director of Operations, Adam's CampCentennial, Colorado. Camps for children and young adults with special needs and their families.
• 2014 to 2017Metro Program Director, National Sports Center for the DisabledYear round adaptive recreation programs across the Denver metro area and Front Range.
• 2012 to 2017Owner, OratistPresentation design for nonprofit professionals and elected officials.
• 2007 to 2014Technology Coordinator and Program Administrator, Denver District Attorney's OfficeSpecial Programs Unit. Victim services projects, the Victims' Rights History Project and the Denver Memorial Sign program.
• Over 25 yearsExpedition leader and raft, kayak and climbing guideIncluding five years at Confluence Kayaks, Denver. American Canoe Association Level 4 whitewater instructor.

Talks and press

Recent podcast, television and press appearances are listed on the media kit, along with topics, suggested questions and headshots for producers.

Latest

• LavaBlogThe LavaBox blog
  • Choosing the best fire pit for the modern camper Oct 8, 2026
  • What to know before boondocking in an RV May 15, 2026
  • Five recreation.gov permits worth planning ahead for May 5, 2026
• The Conscious Entrepreneur, episode 109Bootstrapped, purpose driven, and on fire: the product invention of LavaBox. Oct 6, 2025
• LavaBox on YouTubeProduct videos and the Shark Tank clip

Elsewhere

• LinkedIn
• LavaBox Portable Campfires
• LavaBox team page
• LavaBox on Instagram
• LavaBox on X
• LavaBox on Facebook
• LavaBox on YouTube
• LavaBox on LinkedIn