Building a Fire like a Pro

Campfires can keep us warm, dry our clothing, boil and disinfect water, cook our food and even keep wildlife away from us. 

Building a campfire is a crucial skill for every outdoorsmen and it takes more than just stacking some wood and sticking a lit match near it.

However, with the right knowledge, materials and tools, anyone can build a campfire like an outdoor pro.

For a small fire you can use your hands and two matches

 

For a medium fire you will need a knife

For a big fire you will need an axe and a saw.

STEP 1: GATHER TINDER

Tinder is an easily combustible material used at the first stage of starting a fire. Its main purpose is to ignite kindling.

It can be made of any flammable substance, as long as it is finely divided and has an open structure.

Keep in mind:

Tinder Source:

Dead and dry twigs

Small shavings

Tree bark fiber

Pine needles

STEP 2: PREPARE KINDLING

Kindling is small dry wood sticks used to ignite the fuel of the main fire such as wood logs. It keeps the fire going after it is started.

Kindle Source:

STEP 3: SHAPE THE FUEL

Wood logs are the main fuel that keep the fire going after it is started.

Chop or saw from a dead tree, never a live one (green).

STEP 4: CLEAR THE AREA

Clear a space at least 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter around the fireplace, free of burnable material such as trees, brush, and low branches.

Consider digging a fire pit. Setting a fire on the surface without knowing what is under the fire pit can lead to a root fire which can show up several feet away from the actual fire site.

Gather enough dry tinder, kindling, and fuel wood before you start the fire.

Place all within easy reaching distance of your fireplace.

STEP 5: LIGHT THE FIRE

Bend the tinder in half and light the center.

Light the fire from the windward side.

Add kindling carefully to keep the fire growing.

Let your fire burn down to a fine ash.

Afterward, ensure your fire is completely extinguished.

STEP 6: ARRANGE THE WOOD

There are 7 ways to arrange the wood from simple to complex.

* See WOOD ARRANGEMENTS at the end of this guide for additional information to select which choice works best for you.

Place the larger pieces of wood appropriately on the cleared area, followed by smaller pieces and sticks.

Be sure to allow the air to circulate throughout the arrangement.

Do not overload by adding too much wood as it will suffocate & extinguish the fire quickly.

WOOD ARRANGEMENTS

TEEPEE: Sticks propped upright against each other
+ Easy to make, produces a lot of heat
- Requires more maintenance, hard to start in wind

LEAN-TO: Sticks leaning against a larger log
+ Easy to make, great against wind & light rain
- Burns quickly & less heat

STAR: Sticks spread out in a star shape
+ Long-burning with different cooking temperatures
- Requires maintenance & vulnerable in wind

PLATFORM: Stacked upside-down or pyramid shape
+ Lasts about 6 hours, lots of heat, & great for cooking
- Takes more time to build & cut logs

LOG CABIN: 2 by 2 stacked & spaced horizontally
+ Lasts a long time, produces lots of heat for cooking, & low maintenance
- Takes time to build & harder to keep fire when windy

 ROCK REFLECTOR: Teepee with rock protection
+ Easy to make, efficient, high heat
- Burns quickly & high heat