A self-extinguishing torch top has a wick holder with an upper end and a lower end, affixed to a fuel canister top. An extinguisher surrounds the wick holder and has at least a retracted position wherein a wick protruding from the wick holder is sufficiently exposed to be allowed to burn, and at least an extended position wherein the extinguisher extends beyond the wick so far as to extinguish any flame on the wick. A biasing member urges the sliding tube toward the extended position, and an arrest mechanism retains the sliding tube in the retracted position until an impact occurs, upon which the arrest mechanism releases the sliding tube to allow its extension to the extended position.