Building Fires and Fire Safety

Building Fires and Fire Building Fires and Fire SafetySafety

Outdoor Pursuits 110Outdoor Pursuits 110

Identifying and selecting Identifying and selecting firewood firewood

1. The selection of firewood is generally a 1. The selection of firewood is generally a function of availability. Use what is legally function of availability. Use what is legally available. In most regions of the country, available. In most regions of the country, there isn’t a lot of choice. Ideally, one there isn’t a lot of choice. Ideally, one would select firewood based on the would select firewood based on the following considerations.following considerations.

a. Softwood (eg. Pine, spruce and cedar) are a. Softwood (eg. Pine, spruce and cedar) are convenient for use as tinder and kindling. convenient for use as tinder and kindling. They ignite readily and burn hot.They ignite readily and burn hot.

b. Hardwood (eg. Maple, yellow birch, beach) b. Hardwood (eg. Maple, yellow birch, beach) are excellent for obtaining hot long lasting are excellent for obtaining hot long lasting coals, providing a steady temperature for coals, providing a steady temperature for cooking and baking.cooking and baking.

Identifying and selecting Identifying and selecting firewoodfirewood

2. It has been determined that fires will only be 2. It has been determined that fires will only be used when a there is ample supply of firewood used when a there is ample supply of firewood on the ground and the wood burned will be on the ground and the wood burned will be naturally replenished in a reasonable time.naturally replenished in a reasonable time.

3. Firewood selection should be based on the 3. Firewood selection should be based on the following considerations.following considerations.

a. Only pick wood that is already down. Remember a. Only pick wood that is already down. Remember …”rules are for fool:. In rainy weather, when fires …”rules are for fool:. In rainy weather, when fires are necessary one might pick the fine dead tinder are necessary one might pick the fine dead tinder which is still attached in the undergrowth of a which is still attached in the undergrowth of a conifer.conifer.

b. Collect enough wood to maintain the fire. b. Collect enough wood to maintain the fire. c. Collect wood of different sizes and stack the wood c. Collect wood of different sizes and stack the wood

according to size. This provides convenient access according to size. This provides convenient access to wood as the fire is started.to wood as the fire is started.

The three common The three common components of fire components of fire

There must be a balance of fuel, heat There must be a balance of fuel, heat and oxygen to have a successful fire. and oxygen to have a successful fire. When having difficulty starting a fire, When having difficulty starting a fire, it is often helpful to think of which it is often helpful to think of which component is out of balance and try to component is out of balance and try to establish the proper balance. establish the proper balance.

The three common The three common components of firecomponents of fire

1.1. Fuel: Wood provides the fuel in campfires. Fuel: Wood provides the fuel in campfires. The key is to have the correct size fuel for the The key is to have the correct size fuel for the amount of heat available. (You can’t light a 4 amount of heat available. (You can’t light a 4 inch round stick of wood with a match.)inch round stick of wood with a match.)

2.2. Heat: Heat ignites the fuel and must be Heat: Heat ignites the fuel and must be balanced with it. Large fuel will not ignite until balanced with it. Large fuel will not ignite until the heat of the fire rises to a suitable the heat of the fire rises to a suitable temperature to thoroughly heat the wood. temperature to thoroughly heat the wood. There is usually water vapor close to the There is usually water vapor close to the ground. The fire should be ignited a few inches ground. The fire should be ignited a few inches above ground level.above ground level.

3.3. Oxygen: there must be room for oxygen. Oxygen: there must be room for oxygen. Allow for ample air circulation and arrange the Allow for ample air circulation and arrange the fuel so that oxygen can get to the fire.fuel so that oxygen can get to the fire.

Materials needed in Fire Materials needed in Fire constructionconstruction

1.Tinder1.Tindera.a. Fine, flammable material which will Fine, flammable material which will

ignite from the heat of a match.ignite from the heat of a match.b.b. Birch bark (collected from the ground), Birch bark (collected from the ground),

pine pitch or spruce pitch, and fine pine pitch or spruce pitch, and fine twigs.twigs.

c.c. If the group must depend on fires it is If the group must depend on fires it is important to have a plastic bag of important to have a plastic bag of these materials for a rainy day. these materials for a rainy day.


2. Kindling2. Kindlinga.a. Small diameter branches (3/4” or Small diameter branches (3/4” or

less) or split wood which will ignite less) or split wood which will ignite from the tinderfrom the tinder

b.b. Softwood such as pine, spruce and Softwood such as pine, spruce and cedar are very suitable for kindling. cedar are very suitable for kindling.


3.Fuel3.Fuela.a. Firewood which provides coals and Firewood which provides coals and

uniform heat for cooking.uniform heat for cooking.b.b. Hardwoods such as maple, hickory Hardwoods such as maple, hickory

and apple do an admirable job of and apple do an admirable job of providing good coals for cooking.providing good coals for cooking.

Laying the fireLaying the fireThere are several methods for laying a fire, There are several methods for laying a fire,

each of which has advantages. The each of which has advantages. The situation you find yourself in will situation you find yourself in will determine which fire to use. determine which fire to use.

a.a. TeepeeTeepeeb.b. Lean-toLean-toc.c. Log CabinLog Cabind.d. Cross-DitchCross-Ditche.e. PyramidPyramidf.f. CouncilCouncil

Laying the fireLaying the firea. Tepee a. Tepee

– To make this fire arrange the tinder and To make this fire arrange the tinder and a few sticks of kindling in the shape of a a few sticks of kindling in the shape of a tepee or cone. Light the center. As the tepee or cone. Light the center. As the tepee burns, the outside logs will fall tepee burns, the outside logs will fall inward, feeding the fire. This type of fire inward, feeding the fire. This type of fire burns well even with wet wood. burns well even with wet wood.

Laying the fireLaying the fireb. Lean-To b. Lean-To

– To lay this fire push a green stick into To lay this fire push a green stick into the ground at a 30-degree angle. Point the ground at a 30-degree angle. Point the end of the stick in the direction of the end of the stick in the direction of the wind. Place some tinder deep under the wind. Place some tinder deep under this lean-to stick. Lean pieces of kindling this lean-to stick. Lean pieces of kindling against the lean-to stick. Light the against the lean-to stick. Light the tinder. As the kindling catches fire from tinder. As the kindling catches fire from the tinder, add more kindling. the tinder, add more kindling.

Laying the fireLaying the firec. Log Cabin Firec. Log Cabin Fire

– This is the most popular style for beginners to build - I don't This is the most popular style for beginners to build - I don't know why, maybe because it looks like a house? Anyway, I know why, maybe because it looks like a house? Anyway, I tend to not use it because it is difficult to access the interior. tend to not use it because it is difficult to access the interior. But, I do add wood to a burning teepee fire to turn it into a log But, I do add wood to a burning teepee fire to turn it into a log cabin. cabin.

– Lay a small teepee fire. Lay a small teepee fire. – Lay two larger pieces of fuel wood parallel on opposite sides of Lay two larger pieces of fuel wood parallel on opposite sides of

the teepee. the teepee. – Lay two slightly smaller pieces of fuel wood parallel on the Lay two slightly smaller pieces of fuel wood parallel on the

other two opposite sides. Leave a space under the upwind other two opposite sides. Leave a space under the upwind piece through which you can reach the tinder to light it - you piece through which you can reach the tinder to light it - you might need to fashion a mini-torch and stick it in to light. might need to fashion a mini-torch and stick it in to light.

– Continue to lay smaller and shorter pieces to form a cabin or Continue to lay smaller and shorter pieces to form a cabin or pyramid shape. pyramid shape.

– Have extra kindling ready to drop into the top or through the Have extra kindling ready to drop into the top or through the spaces on the sides to feed the internal fire until the outer spaces on the sides to feed the internal fire until the outer walls catch fire. walls catch fire.

– This kind of fire makes good coals and is a classic campfire This kind of fire makes good coals and is a classic campfire look. Getting it lit is the challenge. look. Getting it lit is the challenge.

Laying the fireLaying the fired. Cross-Ditch d. Cross-Ditch

– To use this method scratch a cross To use this method scratch a cross about 30 centimeters in size in the about 30 centimeters in size in the ground. Dig the cross 7.5 centimeters ground. Dig the cross 7.5 centimeters deep. Put a large wad of tinder in the deep. Put a large wad of tinder in the middle of the cross. Build a kindling middle of the cross. Build a kindling pyramid above the tinder. The shallow pyramid above the tinder. The shallow ditch allows air to sweep under the ditch allows air to sweep under the tinder to provide a draft. tinder to provide a draft.

Laying the fireLaying the firee. Pyramid e. Pyramid

– To lay this fire place two small logs or To lay this fire place two small logs or branches parallel on the ground. Place a branches parallel on the ground. Place a solid layer of small logs across the solid layer of small logs across the parallel logs. Add three or four more parallel logs. Add three or four more layers of logs or branches, each layer layers of logs or branches, each layer smaller than and at a right angle to the smaller than and at a right angle to the layer below it. Make a starter fire on top layer below it. Make a starter fire on top of the pyramid. As the starter fire burns, of the pyramid. As the starter fire burns, it will ignite the logs below it. This gives it will ignite the logs below it. This gives you a fire that burns downward, requiring you a fire that burns downward, requiring no attention during the night.no attention during the night.

Laying the fireLaying the firef. Council Firef. Council Fire

– The big daddy of large group campfires. A council fire burns hot, bright, The big daddy of large group campfires. A council fire burns hot, bright, and for a long time without adding more wood. It does take bigger logs and for a long time without adding more wood. It does take bigger logs and is meant for entertaining big crowds. and is meant for entertaining big crowds.

– Lay 4 logs, each about 5 or 6 inches across and 3 to 3.5 feet long, with Lay 4 logs, each about 5 or 6 inches across and 3 to 3.5 feet long, with about 4 inches of air space between logs.about 4 inches of air space between logs.

– Across these, lay a platform of about 6 logs, each about 5 inches Across these, lay a platform of about 6 logs, each about 5 inches across and 3 feet long. across and 3 feet long.

– Across this, lay a layer of 4 inch logs, 2.5 feet long. Across this, lay a layer of 4 inch logs, 2.5 feet long. – Then, two layers of 3 inch logs, 2 feet long, in perpendicular layers. Then, two layers of 3 inch logs, 2 feet long, in perpendicular layers. – Then, 2 layers of 2 inch logs, 2 feet long. Then, 2 layers of 2 inch logs, 2 feet long. – Then, 2 layers of 1 inch split wood, 18 inches long. Then, 2 layers of 1 inch split wood, 18 inches long. – Make a lot of split kindling sticks and stick them into any open air Make a lot of split kindling sticks and stick them into any open air

space in the log layers. space in the log layers. – Create a teepee structure on top of the last layer of split wood. Create a teepee structure on top of the last layer of split wood. – Leaving a space to light the teepee, continue placing more split pieces Leaving a space to light the teepee, continue placing more split pieces

around the teepee to make a few more layers. around the teepee to make a few more layers. – The teepee is lit and the fire burns its way down through the layers. The teepee is lit and the fire burns its way down through the layers. – This fire maintains good flame for a long time as burning fuel drops This fire maintains good flame for a long time as burning fuel drops

down into the larger pieces of wood and ignites them. There is no large down into the larger pieces of wood and ignites them. There is no large structural collapse as you might get with a log cabin. structural collapse as you might get with a log cabin.

Inclement weather Inclement weather suggestions suggestions

1.1. Use your twiggy bag (a bag of twiggy’s, birch Use your twiggy bag (a bag of twiggy’s, birch bark, and pitch etc.)bark, and pitch etc.)

2.2. Oozing pitch from conifer trees ignites under Oozing pitch from conifer trees ignites under the most adverse conditions. Carefully scrape the most adverse conditions. Carefully scrape the pitch from the tree trying not to injure the the pitch from the tree trying not to injure the barkbark

3.3. Look for dry tinder under logs, boulders, at the Look for dry tinder under logs, boulders, at the base of large trees, and other dry areas.base of large trees, and other dry areas.

4.4. Carve dry wood out of the core of wet kindling.Carve dry wood out of the core of wet kindling.5.5. Build a tepee fire being sure to keep the Build a tepee fire being sure to keep the

center well stoked.center well stoked.

Lighting the Fire Lighting the Fire 1.1. Don’t be afraid to use paper if it’s available.Don’t be afraid to use paper if it’s available.2.2. Remember that heat rises, so when striking Remember that heat rises, so when striking

a match; try to hold the lit end lower than a match; try to hold the lit end lower than the rest of the match.the rest of the match.

3.3. Light the fire upwind so the heat generated Light the fire upwind so the heat generated will be blown towards the fire and not away will be blown towards the fire and not away from it.from it.

4.4. Homemade or commercial fire starters made Homemade or commercial fire starters made from paraffin and paper can be carried for from paraffin and paper can be carried for lighting fires in moist or emergency lighting fires in moist or emergency conditions.conditions.

Remember!!!!Remember!!!!

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Building Fires and Fire Safety