Since antiquity, fire has been beneficial in various ways. These include cooking, providing warmth and light, as well as protection against wild animals. Today, people rarely put up fires. This is explained by the improved technology that has offered a plethora of alternatives. However, when out in the wilderness, a fire may come in handy. A well-lit fire enables people to gather around it and bond over roasted marshmallows.
Every person should possess the skills for building a fire. These skills come into play, especially in the wilderness while camping or hiking. Memories are borne as the flames rise and the eyes meet the sparks in the air. It also insights discussions and heart-to-heart conversations. With that in mind, knowing how to build a fire should come effortlessly. If you don’t know, you shouldn’t worry because we’re here for you. This article will take you through the steps to building a fire in the outdoors.
Choose a Spot
Having the right spot to start your fire is the first thing you should consider before anything else. Here, you should know whether it is legal to build a fire at that spot and whether or not the season agrees. Some camping areas restrict campfires in dry seasons and therefore, it is important to take note of that and abide by the rules for your safety and that of others.
Once you establish that you are in a safe place for building a fire, find an open spot on the ground with enough space surrounding it. Don’t set your spot close to buildings or below low-hanging trees and try building it on gravel, sand, pit or ring.
Gather What You will Need
You will need dry firewood from the store or you can cut them from low-hanging trees. Alternatively, you can get the easy-to-light manufactured logs for the clean fire. Next, gather some tinder (small dry wood chips or dried leaves) that will make it easier to light the fire. Make sure you are using dry materials to prevent smoky fires. You can also use paper towels or pieces of a newspaper because they ignite quickly.
After that, you need some kindling that will give shape and structure to your fire as it makes the base of the fire and molds it. Examples of kindling include thick sticks and chopped wood. You will also need fuel, i.e., large pieces of wood that are dry and not too heavy. Here is where most of the fire energy is derived.
Determine the Structure
Fire structures are determined by how and what you will use them for. The most common are log cabin and teepee fires. If you want a long-lasting fire, the log cabin or parallel fire will suffice. However, teepee fires are good for cooking.
Log cabin fire is made by stacking up layers of wood in alternating directions. The fire is built by placing pieces of firewood side by side with tinder and kindling in between. Add two pieces of wood on the first batch perpendicularly and keeping placing the layers in that fashion. Then light the tinder which will light the kindle and finally the firewood.
For a teepee fire, you are required to create a ring of sticks that lean towards the middle and support each other. The sticks should surround the tinder and leave a small gap for lighting the tinder.
Keeping it Blazing
When outside, external elements can easily put out the fire. That is why you should ensure proper ventilation on either side of the structure. Additionally, you can blow or fan the fire to increase its volume. You can keep on adding tinder, kindle, and fuel to keep the fire burning. You should always remember not to leave the fire unattended as it can be quite hazardous.
Conclusion
As you have seen, with the right steps, making a fire is very easy. Your next camping trip will be filled with lots of fun stories and bonding under a fire that you made.
