The whole Hallowell pack was gathered around the rear of the pack house where the pure fire was still burning. The cool night air had helped bring the flames down, but it was likely that the fire would continue on for another 12 hours until it was low enough for Calix to cover it with dirt and sand. The ritual of the pure fire did not allow dousing with water since its light was considered to be sacred, and the slowly lowering flames made it so that any families who had missed bringing part of it to their own hearth would still have the chance to do so.