1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

On the surface, building a campfire may seem simple enough, but many would-be woodsmen fail miserably at just such a task. One of the biggest problems people encounter while attempting to build a campfire is the impatience of the fire-builder, not the materials at hand. Impatience coupled with little practical understanding of the nature of fire often leads to a lot of smoke with no flame or a meager flame that does not grow into a steady camp fire because it is not properly nurtured.

For starters don't simply pile a bunch of logs on top of each other, throw some pine-needles on top of the pile and then throw a match in the mix unless you crave a smoky frustration. There is a series of techniques that must be implemented in order to turn a coal into a flame and then transform a flame into a fire that will warm a camp or cook a meal. Be patient with this endeavor and don't let your ego creep into the mix.

Supplies
A large bundle of kindling (small twigs, bark, dried leaves, old newspaper, dryer lint etc)
Fire Poker (long sturdy wooden stick or metal poker with a wooden handle)
Three different sizes of DRY fire wood; small wood as thick as an adult finger, eight to ten inches in length; medium wood no thicker than an adult wrist and large wood no thicker than an adult leg.
Shovel and bucket of water
Matches and something to fan the flames

Getting Started
It's is very important that you do not select a site directly under any branches or too close to the trunk of a tree. After selecting the site where the fire shall be built, clear the surrounding area of any inflammable materials such as leaves or brush on the ground. If the ground is not too hard, dig a small bowl a few inches deep and as big around as a five-gallon bucket.

Step 1: Begin by placing a large, loose bundle of kindling in the center of the fire pit. Then place shorter pieces of small wood in a tight pyramid shape surrounding the kindling, leaving the corner facing you open.
Step 2: Light a match or use a coal and set it to the kindling bundle. After allowing the flame to catch and build for a few seconds, gently begin fanning the flame until it begins to rise and consume the pyramid.
Step 3: After recognizing that the pyramid is clearly lit, begin placing a few more, longer pieces of small wood (strips of bark work well for this too) on to the pyramid. This is the definitive time for fire-builders. Continue to fan the flames gently and repeat this step until a bed of hot coals begins to form in the bottom

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to build a camp fire?
We want to hear your view. Write now!