How to Build a Campfire:

1. Build your campfire only in a designated area, and a safe distance away from your tent, trees, and any other flammable material(s).

 

2. Clear the area of any debris.

 

3. Gather your materials: tinder, kindling, fuel wood, rocks, and matches or a lighter. 

a)     Tinder: twigs, small pieces of bark, dry grass and/or leaves, dry pine needles, etc.

b)     Kindling: small sticks approximately one inch (1") in diameter and one foot (1') in length.

c)      Fuel wood: thick and long logs

4. Assemble large rocks in the form of a ring on the ground of a clear, open area. (Note: Some campsites have established fire rings).

 

5. In the middle of the ring, place a couple handfuls of tinder.

 

6. Ignite the tinder with a match or a lighter. Feed the tinder with enough air. Add another handful of tinder to the pile. Note: If you don’t have matches or a lighter, do it old school. J It’s quite simple:

a)      Aiming at a pile of tinder, strike a piece of flint or sharp rock with a piece of carbon steel until you get a spark.

     Or, using the bow-drill method, and with a great deal of patience and persistence, work feverishly until you get smoke. (Do this with a pile of tinder underneath).

b)      Provide the burning tinder with air - gently blow air at the base of the pile to help stoke a flame.

However, unless you’re an experienced boy scout, this process may just about take forever. J Therefore, it is far better to be prepared with matches or a lighter when planning to build a campfire.

7. Add the kindling to the lighted tinder, building a loose pile so that air can get to the fire.  

 

8. Add the fuel wood to the fire, building a pyramid-like structure with the logs.

 

9. When it’s time to extinguish the fire, completely douse the flames with water, drenching the wood. Use a fire extinguisher if necessary. Using a shovel, gently turn the pile, making sure every ember is out. With your shovel, completely smother the fire pit with dirt, covering the entire pit. Again, thoroughly soak with water. Repeat until the entire campfire is drenched and cold.

Warning: The following includes some of the many precautions you should take when building a campfire.

*      Before starting your campfire, carefully follow the fire rules and regulations of the camping area.

*      Do not use lighter fluid.

*      Never leave your campfire unattended.

*      Keep a fire extinguisher, water, and a shovel handy at all times.