by Larry Darter

Created on: February 19, 2010

For many who enjoy camping, the chance to sit beside an outdoor fire in the evening is one of the most satisfying aspects.  Building an outdoor fire can be simple by following a few easy steps. 

Choosing a Location and Building a Fire Ring 

The first consideration is choosing a location for the fire and assembling a fire ring to contain the fire.  To minimize impact on the environment, choose a spot where fires have been built previously or at least a durable surface without vegetation.  The spot chosen for the fire should be a safe distance away from tents and away from low hanging tree branches. 

Collect a sufficient number of good sized stones to use for a fire ring.  Clear a circular area about four feet in diameter and place the rocks around it in a circle.  When camping at improved camping locations, metal fire rings are often provided that simplify site selection and eliminate the need to construct a fire ring. 

Collect Fuel for the Fire 

Three types of fuel should be collected, tinder and kindling for getting the fire started and the primary fuel for keeping the fire going.  Sources of tender include things like dry plants and grasses, dry tree bark, moss, wood shavings and dry pine needles, small combustible material that will burn easily.  Kindling is small dried twigs. 

Wood is generally the primary fuel of choice but the wood should be collected from deadfall as dry, dead wood burns much better than green wood. 

Starting the Fire 

Fire requires three elements; fuel, heat and air.  The tender and dry wood collected serve as the fuel for the fire.  The heat is supplied by an ignition source such as a disposable lighter or matches.  Air is available from the atmosphere itself but consideration must be given to providing for adequate air circulation when starting a fire and keeping it burning. 

There are a number of methods of arranging the fuel in a manner that will produce the right mixture of fuel and air circulation to support a fire.  One good technique is called the “tepee” method.  Tinder is placed in the center of the fire ring.  Small twigs and small bits of dry tree branches (the kindling) are arranged in tepee fashion over the tender.  An opening is left in one side to allow for the ignition of the tender.  A larger tepee can then be constructed over the one made with kindling using smaller diameter pieces of the wood collected as the primary fuel.  Once the teepees have been constructed, the tender is ignited with a lighter or match.  It often helps to blow on the tender as it begins to smoke and burn to get the initial fire started. 

Once the tender starts to burn well, the kindling will catch fire and eventually the fire will spread to the second tepee constructed of smaller pieces of the primary fuel.  Once the initial fire has become well established, larger pieces of dry wood can be added and soon a warm and comfortable campfire can be enjoyed. 

Safety Considerations 

Besides the initial site selection safety precautions, a bucket of water should be kept nearby in the event the fire needs to be quickly extinguished.  Also the fire should be put out whenever it is not attended.

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