1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

of the fire pit. (Note: Many environmental factors from wind-speed to humidity can effect how long this step will take to complete, but ten minutes of dedicated effort should suffice).
Step 4: This is essentially the continuation of the previous step, only with bigger wood. After a healthy bed of coals has formed in the bottom of the fire pit and flames are still rising above the center of the pyramid begin placing a few pieces of medium wood on the fire. Continue fanning as necessary to keep the flames high until the medium wood begins to light. Once the first few pieces of medium wood begins to turn to coals you can start placing the wood on the fire in a Lincoln-Log pattern, making sure that there is always a large enough opening to the heart of the fire in order for oxygen to feed it.

Once these four basic steps have been completed you will have a healthy campfire burning. You can very sparingly place a log or two of the large wood on the fire while keeping the medium wood as the primary source of fuel. Don't try to pile a bunch of larger pieces of wood on the fire at once. This can cause your fire to fail or to become a hazardous success.

Never leave this or any other fire unattended and should it begin to spread, use the shovel to subdue it by turning over dirt onto the rogue flame. When it comes time to extinguish your fire, separate the larger burning pieces of wood from each other, turn over dirt onto the fire and pour out you bucket of water first in the middle and then around the edges of the fire.

Follow these steps and safety instructions and you will have a strong cooperative camp fire that can be enjoyed by all who interact with it while causing minimal impact to the environment.

Learn more about this author, Jay Moody.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

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