How To Build A Campfire In 7 Easy And Safe Steps

Look for a spot on level ground away from overhanging branches, dry grass, or brush. Stay away from the bases of any hills (escaped fires travel quickly uphill). [3] X Research source Whenever possible, it’s best to use an existing fire ring to safely contain your fire and preserve the beauty of the campground or backcountry. [4] X Research source

More options for making tinder for your fire could be wood chips or shavings, pieces or strips of cardboard, candle wax, cotton balls, or a commercial fire starter. All of your tinder material—including twigs or sticks—should be small enough to fit in your cupped hands and very thin (around the width of pencil lead).

Only use firewood found or bought near the campsite. Wood from home can harbor pests that can interfere with the site or park’s local ecosystem if they escape and spread. [9] X Research source Keep large piles of kindling and firewood near the fire so you don’t have to leave it unattended to gather more.

A teepee fire is simple and effective. Lean your kindling together to make a teepee (cone) shape over your tinder. Leave space between the sticks so air can feed your flames. As the fire grows, add bigger pieces of firewood. A log cabin fire is great for long lasting warmth. Lay 2 large pieces of firewood parallel to each other. Put 2 more logs on top, perpendicular to the base. Build a few more layers like this, then make a teepee with kindling around the base. Build a platform fire to cook over your open flames. Make a base of 2 or 3 large logs lying horizontally. Then place smaller logs vertically on top. Build a small teepee of kindling at the very top so the fire burns downward. Build a star fire when you’re low on firewood. Make a small teepee with kindling, then lay several logs around the teepee so that only one end of each log is touching the teepee. The logs will be slowly consumed by the fire. Make a lean-to fire to protect against wind and rain. Put down one large log, then lean smaller pieces of firewood against it perpendicularly to make a lean-to. Make a mini-teepee under the lean-to.

As you add wood, leave room for air to circulate within the fire. Only use dry kindling and firewood when possible (it burns easier and smokes less). Besides lighter fluid, avoid other accelerants (chemicals that ignite raging fires) like gasoline since they can easily burn out of control and become dangerous. [12] X Trustworthy Source US National Park Service Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments Go to source Never squirt or spray lighter fluid or any other chemicals onto embers or an open flame. This could result in sudden flare ups, burns, or spreading the fire.

If you don’t have water, cover the embers and logs with dirt. Use a poker or shovel to continually stir the dirt and embers around until they are fully extinguished. It’s best not to use sand to cover a campfire. The fire may look like it’s out on the surface but still burn underneath the sand (because it’s insulating). If sand is all you have available, make sure to stir it around and put out the embers, not just cover the fire. A good rule of thumb for putting out campfires is “if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. ”[14] X Research source

Clean up any litter, including uneaten food you roasted or garbage you burnt, and dispose of it according to the rules of your campsite. Wait until your fire is completely extinguished and cool before you begin cleanup.