Before you begin, remember three cardinal rules:
1. Only build fires in permitted and specially designated areas.
2. A small fire is better than a large one. It provides ample heat, is easier to manage, and is safer. Remember: you are on a trek, not at a picnic.
3. Preparation is everything. Haste is the main enemy of a good fire. Take time to set things up properly, and the fire will burn long and steadily.
The Theory of Combustion: The "Fire Triangle"
To understand how to build a fire, you need to know why it burns in the first place. The answer lies in a simple model—the "fire triangle." For fire to exist, three components are necessary:
* Fuel (firewood, kindling).
* Heat (an ignition source).
* Oxygen.
The absence of any one of these elements extinguishes the flame. Heat converts solid fuel into combustible gas, which, when mixed with oxygen, creates fire. This is why a small match ignites dry grass but won't light a thick log—it lacks sufficient thermal energy.
The takeaway: Always start with fine tinder, and only once it is burning well should you gradually add larger pieces of wood, ensuring good airflow.
Selecting and Preparing the Site
The ideal campfire site should be:
* Safe: Away from overhanging branches, dry grass, and tents. Use natural windbreaks like cliffs or large boulders.
* Convenient: Close to a source of firewood, but on a spot cleared of all flammable debris (leaves, grass).
* Dry: On damp ground, build a "platform" of green or wet branches for insulation. In strong winds, dig a shallow pit.
Important: Always clear away flammable material from the surrounding area and never leave a fire unattended.
Fuel: From Tinder to Logs
Success depends on correctly gathering the "fuel hierarchy."
1. Tinder: Materials that catch fire from a single match. Ideal options include:
* Dry grass, birch bark, pine cones, plant fluff.
* Pine resin (pitch/sap) — the best natural aid. Look for it on damaged trunks or inside the knots of fallen pine branches.
* Alternatives: Cardboard, paper, dry shavings carved from a thick branch with a knife.
* Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquids—this is extremely dangerous!
2. Kindling: Dry twigs about the thickness of a pencil (12-16 inches). It's better to collect dead twigs still on trees, as they are drier than those on the ground. A simple dry test: a dry twig snaps crisply; a damp one bends.
3. Main Firewood: Gather this in advance, in ample quantity. A good rule of thumb: take what seems like enough wood and multiply it by three. Split logs into different thicknesses so you can gradually increase the "caliber" of wood in your fire.
Fire Lay Techniques: Three Proven Methods
All fire structures are built around the "triangle" principle."
* Tepee (Pyramid): The classic method for quick, tall flames. Place tinder in the center and build a cone of kindling around it, leaving gaps for air. As it catches, add progressively thicker wood, maintaining the shape.
* Star (Lazy/Long Fire): An economical option for cooking. Arrange 4-5 thick logs in a star pattern, with their ends meeting in the center. Only the converging ends burn. Push the logs inward as they consume. This fire provides less heat but yields good embers.
* Log Cabin (Criss-Cross): Produces a steady, even flame perfect for a pot or Dutch oven. Place two thick logs parallel as a base. Lay tinder between them, then build a "cabin" by stacking two more logs crosswise on top. You can continue stacking to increase the size.
Lighting the Fire and Helpful Tips
* Position yourself to shield the tinder from the wind with your body.
* Light the fire from the bottom so the flame rises upward, following the natural draft.
* Use a lighter or dry matches (matches dipped in wax beforehand won't get damp).
* On a sunny day, a magnifying glass or even the convex bottom of a glass bottle can be used to focus sunlight on your tinder.
The Essential Finale: How to Extinguish a Fire Properly
When leaving a campsite, you are obligated to completely extinguish the fire.
1. Water is the best method. Drown the fire pit and all embers thoroughly, stirring the ashes with a stick several times. Be generous with water.
2. Check. Place the back of your hand near the ashes (without touching them!). You should feel only moisture and cold. If you feel any warmth, continue extinguishing.
3. If water is unavailable, smother the fire pit with a thick layer of soil, sand, or stones, completely cutting off the oxygen supply.
4. Exercise extreme caution in coniferous forests and peat bogs, where fire can travel underground and smolder for weeks.
Remember: the safety of the forest and others depends on your responsibility. A true outdoorsperson leaves behind only a cold fire pit and good memories.
Next guide: Proper Nutrition on a Hike Previous guide: How to Set Up a Comfortable Campsite You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
