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How to: Start a Campfire
Starting a campfire is a simple task to do when camping outdoors. It may not be as easy as rubbing two sticks together, but there are multiple techniques and materials you can use to get your campfire going.
When building a campfire, always be sure to practice safety first. You do not want to be that person who started a forest fire. Most camping sites will have designated fire areas, but if not you will need to make your own. Always build your fire bed on bare earth, and not on dead or live grass. Be sure to pick a site away from any bushes, trees, or other plants, especially dry plant materials that can catch fire easily. Clear your area for a dirt platform that is about four inches thick so that you have nice bed to build your campfire.
Once you have built a nice fire bed, its time to collect the right wood. That’s right. We are going all natural. If you are going to build a real campfire, then avoid using starter logs, lighter fluid, and shredded newspapers. This will only harm the environment and your marshmallow roast later. There are three basic types of materials you will need to build a campfire: tinder, kindling, and fuel wood. Tinder is very important to starting a good campfire because it catches fire easily and burns fast. Use materials like dry bark, wood shavings, or dry leaves. It is also safe to bring your own tinder to the campfire in the form of old dryer lint. Once the tinder begins to burn you will need to start kindling. Kindling usually consist of small branches or twigs. If you try to use big logs too soon you will just smother what flame you have. When you have a good flame going, start using logs, chopped wood, or branches that are about as big as your arm. Fuel wood is what keeps the fire going through the night. Be sure to collect a lot to keep your fire hot and burning. You do not need huge logs because it would take to long for the wood to catch fire. You can choose to lay your wood however you like when building your campfire. Most campers like to begin with the Teepee or Log Cabin fire lay. Go with whatever works best for you.
When you are done with your campfire, be sure to put it out properly. Keep a bucket full of water nearby so that you may extinguish the fire when ready. Always sprinkle the water over the burning wood so that you do not flood the pit and you or someone else can use it later. As you sprinkle the water stir up the embers and ashes until there is no more steam or crackling noises from the fire. Clean up your fired bed and patch your ground when finished. There you have it, an easy guide to how to building a campfire.
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