Probably not the most exciting topic, but I am sure at some point, this knowledge will come in handy.

Always check if campfires are permitted. Whether or not you know how to build a campfire, you should already know that they can spark uncontrolled fires and cause devastation. Some campgrounds or parks do not permit campfires at all, or forbid them during the dry season. It takes just one ember to cause a forest fire, so never build them if there’s a fire ban. Check with the local ranger station, camp host, or a park visitor center for information on fire bans and fire safety.

.1) make a fire safely:

First things first, position your campfire at least 3m (10ft) away from anything flammable like your tent or overhanging trees. Ideally, the area will be sheltered from the wind but always leave enough distance to protect yourself and the environment.

Look for flat ground on which to build your campfire to prevent flaming embers from rolling down the hillside.

Always build your campfire in a fire pit or ring, when available. Placing stones in a ring or using a dedicated fire pit helps contain the fire and keep it safe. Building it on sand or gravel is better and less damaging than on soil. Never leave a fire unattended.

.2) Choosing the Best Firewood to Burn:

When it comes to choosing the best firewood to burn, the drier your wood the better. Wet wood tends to smoke and can be very challenging to ignite. To make a fire, you’ll need three different types of wood:

.a) Tinder: Tiny pieces of wood, dried moss, dried leaves, or needles which are used to start the fire.

.b) Kindling: Small pieces of chopped wood or small sticks to help shape the fire.

.c) Fuel: This is where the bulk of the fire’s energy comes from; larger pieces of wood or logs to sustain the fire for a long time.

.3) Where to Get Wood:

The best place to buy or gather firewood is near the park itself, as this tends to come from the region (and lessens the risk of you spreading any infectious bugs or diseases from other regions). Check with the park ranger in advance before bringing wood in. Wood pallets and planks used in construction are often coated in toxic chemicals that are not meant to be burned. Some even have a fireproofing agent.

Many campgrounds offer firewood onsite.

It goes without saying that you want dry wood. Avoid anything that is green, too wet or that bends without snapping – it almost certainly won’t burn well. Go for fallen branches that are about three inches in diameter or thinner.

.4) Four Different Ways to Make a Fire:

These are four ways to build a campfire. You want your wood to be piled close enough for a concentration of heat, but you also need enough space for oxygen to enter the fire (so that the fire can burn and breathe). Every campfire should have a structure — this is much more efficient than simply chucking wood onto the floor and crossing your fingers that it will burn. There are more ways but these are enough to get you started.

a.) Parallel Fire (log cabin):

Parallel fires have a similar structure to Jenga — minus the middle pieces. Place two pieces of firewood parallel to one another and a small pile of tinder and kindling between them. Then, place two more pieces of firewood on top of the base logs perpendicular, forming a small wall. Add one more perpendicular layer. Then, ignite the center of the pile and continue adding firewood as the fire grows.p>

b.) Platform Fire:

Platform campfires have a solid and sturdy base and are built similarly to parallel style campfires. First, take four pieces of roughly uniform pieces of firewood and lay them down alongside one another. Then, add three pieces of firewood on top of the base perpendicular. Then, add two pieces of firewood perpendicular to that layer. Place a small pile of tinder and kindling on top of the base and ignite..

c.) Teepee Method:

Lean sticks together in a circle that comes together in the center, forming a cone or teepee. Inside the cone, place a small clump of tinder. Light the tinder. Place more firewood vertically around the teepee to sustain the fire.

d.) Star:

Create a small teepee with sticks and kindling, then lay out four to six logs around it, each with one end barely touching the teepee and the other facing out — you'll want to create a sort of wood asterisk. Then light the teepee and adjust the logs as it burns to ensure that every log is slowly consumed by flame.

.5) How to Start a Fire:

When making a fire, If you try to burn a large piece of firewood directly, you’ll likely just scorch it and fail. First, you need to create a small pile of tinder to use as a starter.

If it’s wet underfoot and you can’t find dry tinder, you’re not going to have a campfire. Lightweight high-performance firelighters like Zip will give you the best chance of a successful campfire. Use them alongside or instead of tinder.

Kindling: You can’t move directly from tinder to your main fuel such as logs as this will smother your fire. Like tinder, campfire kindling needs to be as dry as possible or it won’t burn as easily. Try to find small twigs and branches about the length and width of a pencil.

If you’re struggling to find dry kindling, you can use your penknife (of course you have a penknife) to whittle down larger damp twigs and branches to get to the drier timber underneath.

Birch tree bark and cattail fluff are two things you might be able to find at your campsite that are easy to ignite for starting a fire. You might also consider bringing drier lint or cotton balls from home, which also work great.

.6) keep the campfire burning:

Using waterproof matches or a lighter, ignite the tinder and blow gently onto the flame. Add more kindling and firewood onto the fire as it builds. If you add too many at once, you risk smothering the fire and it could go out too quickly. Don’t use your campfire as a trash bin. Only burn pure paper and wood — and keep in mind that many pieces of paper (like box wrappers) are coated in plastic. Cans, plastic, and pieces of aluminum foil belong in the recycling bin or trash can.

.7) Extinguish Your Fire:

Lightly sprinkle water onto the fire bed and stir the embers and ashes with a stick. Heat test the fire by holding the back of your hand close to it. If it’s too hot to keep your hand there, the fire is still too hot to leave. Continue to sprinkle water and stir until safe to leave.

Remember what Smokey the Bear says

A campfire is a lot of fun but also a big responsibility. Be safe with your campfire to help prevent wildfires.

In Conclusion

Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids. Always have a hose, bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand nearby to put out the fire. Make sure to put it completely out before leaving the site. If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll.

(Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, Colorado Camping Company may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.)

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