How do I build a campfire?
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How to Build a Campfire
If you're going to build a campfire, you need to take some basic safety precautions first. Part of this is about preventing forest fires, but it's also about keeping your camp safe. It's surprisingly easy to catch stuff on fire if you're not careful, and it's very easy to avoid those risks.
1) Clear out the area where you're going to start the fire - get anything flammable out of the way, for at least a range of four to five feet.
2) Make a ring of stones around the area where you want to start the fire. This is a protective barrier that will stop embers and sparks from blowing out as easily, and it also creates a clear border for people not to cross.
3) You need to get some water ready nearby for if things get out of control.
4) Charcoal is really best to use, because it will keep you from damaging the environment by taking all the deadwood from a given area. You can also bring your own wood.
5) Make sure that the fire is not located anywhere near your tents.
6) If you do gather wood, you need to get some twigs and dry leaves first to start the fire. Put a pile of them in the circle of stones, and light it somehow. You can use a lighter or a match, which are the easiest methods. You may be thinking that you want to do it the "traditional" way and just rub two sticks together. It's probably best to just save the trouble - it will rub your hands raw, and is very hard to get a fire going that way. If you do want to do it, get a knife and cut the edge of one stick into a point. Get another, softer stick and cut a little notch into it, deep enough that you can fit the point in somewhat. Then place the softer stick down in the leaves and twigs. Stick the pointed end of the other stick into the edge of it, hold it between your hands, and rub your hands back and forth on either side quickly - this will cause friction and generate heat. Blowing softly on it can stoke the flame (but too hard and you'll blow it out).
Here's a crude drawing of how:
7) Once you have the twigs and leaves going, start adding in bigger sticks. Eventually you want to get to logs, which will sustain the fire, but if you drop them in too early it will snuff out the flame.
8) Never leave the fire unattended. When you're done for the night, put it out. Make sure that you have poured water onto all the logs and sticks that are left. Give it a few minutes, and check with your hands to make sure the logs are cold. If they're hot, they may still have a chance of starting a fire up again. Keep pouring on water until they are cold to the touch.
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