How to Build a Campfire

Ah, the sweet sound of a crackling fire, the gentle orange glow and the woodsy smell of smoke. There's nothing quite like a campfire to make your adventure complete. The following tips will help keep you safe and cozy.

1. Know the Rules

Though it may be tempting to have a campfire where one is not permitted, camping rules and regulations were created for one reason - to keep you safe. Call ahead to make sure that campfires will be permitted where you want to stay. If not, and having a campfire is important to you, you might want to find another park.

Keep in mind that fire rules can change on a daily basis depending on weather conditions. If a park posts "No open fires due to dry or windy conditions," always be sure to comply for the safety of all.

Do not light off fire works where prohibited on the fourth of july,or any other time.

2. Use Designated Fire Pits

If campfires are permitted, use the area that has been designated. These areas were chosen for a good reason (a good wind break, good brush clearance, etc.). If there is not a formal fire area, make sure that your fire ring is surrounded by a circle of rocks, large enough to keep wood and kindling contained and not blowing or tumbling over the sides.

3. Clear Area of All Debris

Make sure there are no extraneous twigs, leaves, paper products or other flammables within several feet of your campfire. And don't forget to look up. Overhanging branches should be avoided.

4. Use the Right Wood

Different kinds of wood are needed to make a great campfire.

Start by gathering a supply of all three plus grass.

Tinder

small twigs,

wood shavings,

dry leaves

grass

When it is raining,you can peel the bark off of a cedar or fir tree trunk,as it is usually dry and will ignite easily. (Never use flammable liquids to start a fire!) Kindling, or small sticks one inch in diameter or less, go on next. Make sure to let your kindling get burning well before you add on the last kind of wood. The last kind? Your Fuel, or larger pieces of dry wood that burn for longer periods of time.

Be sure to stack your wood in separate piles, well away from the fire area. Never pull branches off trees or cut living vegetation.

5. Don't Over-Build.

Campfires can easily get away from you. Keep your campfire well within the borders of the pit, and keep it small to avoid sparking. You can always snuggle up to the fire (or each other) to keep warm.

6. Be Ready to Put it Out

Be sure to have a bucket of water and a shovel or a fire extinguisher nearby.

7. Be Safe

Enjoy your campfire, but be safe. Make sure an adult is present at all times, and discourage running or horse playing near a campfire.

8. Douse, Dreg,Dig and Feel

Before leaving camp, make sure that your campfire is completely out-and that means doing more than just dousing it with water once or twice. Douse with water, dreg up the fire to uncover any hot spots and douse again. Finish up by turning over the fire debris to make sure everything is cold, and never put fire ash into trash receptacles.

With a few precautions, you can ensure that your campfire experience brings you wonderful memories of toasted marshmallows and smiling faces.

   Fire starters are a very important part of any emergency kit. We at CampingSurvival.com like to have at least 2 various fire starters on us at all times. Our newest fire starter is right below. Our new Magnesium fire starter is cutting edge and there’s nothing like it. We are sure that once you try this new fire starter below you'll love it too. Again, having more than one fire starter on you at all times especially when you go into the woods is a very basic idea. We recommend the Flint Steel and Magnesium Fire Starter in one right below plus a Doan magnesium fire starter and some tinder. Many people prefer a larger fatter sparking tool. The larger the fire starter surface to scrape from the more sparks you’ll get and the easier you’ll get a fire going. Of course, even if you are very confident in your fire starting abilities, when you go into the woods, a lighter is another obvious but good last ditch effort fire starting tool.  It’s important to have a good fire starter. It’s also important to have some good tinder. However, it is also important to use your fire starter at home before you go outdoors. A great project for the budding outdoorsman is making your own tinder. Try the cotton ball and vaseline tinder method. Just get a cotton ball and some vaseline. Get the vaseline throughout the cotton ball, but don’t oversoak it so it’s too wet with vaseline. You’ll need to pull the cotton ball apart a bit to expose the individual threads and throw a spark from you new fire starter. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it catches fire and how long and hot it burns. This is a great project for scout troops as well.  The homemade cotton ball and vaseline tinder is great, but can be messy. Go ahead and also try one or more of our compressed tinders. Another great project is to try different fire starters and tinders to see which works best for you. Again, the bottom line is to learn how to make a fire with your fire starter long before you have to start a fire in a survival situation.