Yeah, I think as @HotBeefTrauma says if it’s 100% real then he’s suffering from the situation and it’s affecting his ability to think clearly. Or he might just have that weird impulsive streak I’ve known in loads of people where they do odd stupid things.
Equally maybe he didn’t burn it and it was just something he thought added to his tale?
Actually I think he said he left it in his firepit which is a bit odd, like after he stopped the fire?