A campfire can be life saving when you are stuck in situations where it is drop dead cold and you are wet. You need to know how to build fires in order to save yourself from freezing to death, as that as is not an optimal way for your outdoor adventure to end.

Where to Build a Campfire?

To build a campfire, you must first look around for already established fire rings especially if you are visiting a national park. You should avoid using new and untouched areas for building the fire. Also try to build it near a water resource so that when you are leaving, the fire is out and cold.

When to Build a Campfire?

Always do research on the campsite and campfire rules before planning a camp. Places like national parks do not allow campfires when it is dry and windy because it increases the chances of fire spread.

Another important point is the availability of firewood. In places where there is a shortage of wood, prefer to use lanterns, flashlight, etc. You can also carry firewood along with you but many parks do not allow this as well. At these places you can get the wood by paying a small fee for it.

Type of Firewood to Use

Try to collect wood that is down because it is easier to burn dry and dead wood. Collect wood in piles – one pile of matchstick-sized woods for starting the fire, one pile of pencil-sized wood, another of thumb size and last of larger sticks.

How to Get Going Your Campfire?

The key to get your campfire going is the access to air. Build a structure which has enough air circulation around and below it. You can try the “teepee” or “log cabin” structure. Both the structures allow for a plenty of air flow. In teepee structure thumb-sized sticks are placed vertically with their tops touching each other for support and put matchstick sized sticks inside the teepee. In the log cabin structure, place the sticks perpendicular to each other to form a shape of a log cabin and then start the fire by feeding small sticks. It requires the help of two people – one to be the bellows and the other for feeding correct sticks to the fire.

How to Build a Fire When There is No Established Fire Ring?

In this case you need to follow the LNT rule – Leave No Trace. For this you can dig a circle of about two feet and keep the top soil containing microorganisms aside safely on a ground sheet. Another may be to gather mineral soil on a ground cloth and build a heap of about four feet. This will protect the topsoil from getting affected by the fire. Both the methods are eco-friendly and safe.

Lastly, you must put out the fire with water before leaving the campsite until it is cold and safe to touch. Ensure that the embers are also extinguished so that if they get picked by the wind, there are zero chances of forest fire.