How to prepare, make, and light a campfire

Master the Art of Fire in Camping: Practical Guide to Preparing a Fire

In the inherent challenges of outdoor survival, the art of creating a fire during a bivouac holds a central place. Beyond its role as a source of heat and a means of cooking, fire is of vital importance, providing comfort, safety, and multiple possibilities in extreme situations.

However, mastering this art requires much more than simply igniting a flame. It necessitates a deep understanding of techniques, materials, and precautions to ensure both effectiveness and safety.

In this practical guide, we will explore in detail the essential steps for preparing a campfire, as well as the different types of fires and methods to light them. Get ready to discover the secrets of this ancestral element that can make the difference between survival and distress in the wild.

1. THE CHOICE OF LOCATION AND PREPARATION

"You will need to choose the location and type of fire. Before making a fire, you must assess:"

1. The conditions in which you find yourself (the terrain and the temperature),
2. The available materials and tools,
3. Time - how much time do you have?
4. The need - why do you want to make a fire?

You need to find a dry location that:

1. Is protected from the wind,
2. It is well located in relation to your shelter (if you have one),
3. Allows directing heat in the right direction.
4. "Offer, within reach, a supply of wood or another fuel" 

In wooded or brush-covered terrain, you need to clear the ground surface at the chosen location and scrape it. Clean the surface in a circle of at least one meter in diameter to reduce the chances of the fire spreading.

If you have the time, build a reflection wall with logs or stones. It will help direct the heat where you want it. It will also reduce the amount of sparks thrown by the fire and lessen the force of the wind.

However, for the fire to burn, it is necessary to let enough wind pass.

WARNING: Do not use porous or wet stones, as they may explode when exposed to heat.

In certain situations, an underground fire may better meet your needs. It conceals the flames and is well-suited for cooking food.

Here is how to make a fire of this type also called Dakota fire method.

• Dig a hole in the ground,
• Dig a large ventilation tunnel that connects to this hole on the windward side and make a fire in the hole, as shown in the illustration.

If the ground is covered with snow, use green wood to prepare a good base.
"dry wood on which you will make the fire. Tree trunks the size of a wrist break easily in very cold weather. Cut or break several pieces of green wood and place them side by side on the snow. Stack one or two rows of wood this way, arranging the pieces in the opposite direction of the previous row."

2. THE CHOICE OF MATERIALS

Three types of materials are needed to make a fire: kindling, wood or other ignition products, and fuel.

The fire starter is a dry material that ignites with a very low heat input, a simple spark for example. It must be completely dry for a single spark to ignite it.

If the only tool you have is a device that produces sparks, charred cloth will be almost essential. The charred cloth will keep the spark lit for a long time, allowing you to place the tinder on the heat source to generate a small flame. You can obtain charred cloth by heating a piece of cotton until it turns black, but it must not burn. Once it is charred, store it in an airtight container to keep it dry. Prepare this piece of cotton in advance and add it to your survival kit.

The ignition product is a highly flammable material that is added to the lit fire starter. Like the fire starter, it must be completely dry to ensure a quick combustion. Wood or other ignition products increase the temperature of the fire, so that it ignites even less combustible materials.

The fuel is a less flammable material that burns slowly and continuously once ignited.

3. THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRE

There are several methods to prepare a fire, and each of them has distinct advantages. It is the situation you find yourself in that will determine the most appropriate type of fire.

THE TIP

To set up a teepee, arrange the fire starter and some kindling branches in the shape of a teepee or cone. Light the center of the teepee. As the teepee burns, the outer logs will fall into the center and feed the fire. This type of fire burns well, even if the wood is wet.

THE LEAN-TO FIRE

To make a fire in a shed: 

1. Plant a branch in the ground at an angle of 30 degrees. The tip of the branch must point in the direction of the wind.
2. Bury the fire starter deep under the slanted branch.
3. Place the kindling against this branch and light the fire starter.
4. Then add kindling as it catches fire. LA

CROSS TRENCH

To build a cross trench;

1. Draw a cross where each segment is about 30 cm long and dig to a depth of 7.5 cm along this drawing.
2. Place a large pile of fire starters in the center of the cross.
3. Build a pyramid of kindling above the fire starter. The shallow trench will ensure the fire is fed by allowing air to enter beneath the fire starter.

THE PYRAMID

To make a pyramid:

1. Place two small logs or two small branches parallel to the ground at a certain distance from each other.
2. Place side by side, in the opposite direction, a row of small logs. Arrange three or four rows of logs or branches in this way, each row made up of smaller logs than the previous one and arranged at a right angle to it.
3. Light a smaller fire at the top of the pyramid.

As this fire burns, it will ignite the logs of the previous row. The fire will consume from top to bottom and will require no maintenance during the night.

4. HOW TO LIGHT A FIRE

Always light your fire on the windward side. Make sure to arrange the fire starter, ignition product, and fuel so that the fire burns as long as you need it.

Ignition devices produce the initial heat necessary to ignite the fire starter. They are divided into two categories: modern means and primitive means.

MODERN MEANS

The matches

Take care to use waterproof matches. Store them, with a reliable striker, in a waterproof container.

The converging lens

This method only works in sunny weather. The lens can come from binoculars, a camera, a sighting scope, or a magnifying glass.

1. Place the lens so as to focus the rays of the sun on the fire starter.
2. Hold the lens in such a way as to direct the rays to the same spot until the fire starter begins to smoke.
3. Blow or gently fan the fire starter until it ignites, then light the actual fire.

The metal match

1. Place the fire starter on a dry, flat sheet, so that it does not completely cover it.
2. Put the tip of the metal match on the sheet.
3. Hold the metal match in one hand and a knife in the other.
4. Rub your knife against the metal match until it produces sparks, which will fall onto the fire starter.
5. When it starts to smoke, follow the instructions mentioned above.

The batteries

Use a battery to produce a spark. The type of battery available will determine if you can use this method.

Attach an electric wire to each terminal and join the ends of the two stripped wires near the igniter so that the spark ignites it.

Black powder

"You will often have one type or another of ammunition in your equipment. If this is the case, carefully extract the bullet from the casing and use the powder that the ammunition is made of as tinder."

A spark will ignite this powder. Proceed with extreme caution when extracting the bullet from the casing.

PRIMITIVE MEANS.

The flint and steel

The production of sparks remains the easiest primitive method to use, and among these, the use of a flint stone and a piece of steel is certainly the most reliable.

1. Strike a flint or another hard, sharp stone against carbon steel (stainless steel will not produce good sparks). The success of this method requires a quick wrist movement and practice.
2. At the moment the spark comes into contact with the fire starter, blow on it. The spark will spread and catch fire.

The friction method

The friction method uses friction as a means of ignition.

1. Rubbing a hardwood stick against a softwood board.
2. According to this method, one must dig a straight groove in a board, then rub the pointed end of the stick in the groove while describing a back-and-forth motion.
3. The friction of the stick will detach small particles of wood at the bottom of the groove and, as you apply more pressure, will ignite the wood particles.

The bow and the whip

Making a fire using the bow and drill method is simple, but requires a lot of effort and perseverance. You will need the following items:

• A cushion: The cushion is actually a stone, a bone, or a piece of hardwood that you can hold firmly and that has a hollow on one of its sides. Use the cushion to hold the whip in place and to apply downward pressure on the whip.
• A whip: Use a straight, dry hardwood stick about 2 cm in diameter and 25 cm long as a whip. The upper end should be rounded and the other end should be pointed to ensure good friction.
• A wooden board: You can choose a board of the size that suits you best. However, it is preferable to use a well-dried coniferous wood board that is 2.5 cm thick and 10 cm wide. On one side, dig a hole about 2 cm from the edge of the board. Then make a V-shaped notch on the other side of the board, below the hole, starting from the edge of the board and progressing towards the hole.
• A bow: Made using a slightly flexible green wood rod about 2.5 cm in diameter and a string. Attach the string to both ends of the rod so that it is taut.

NOTE: Primitive means are more difficult to use and the success of these methods requires some practice.

Follow this method to start a fire with the bow and the whip:

1. Prepare the location where you will make the fire.
2. Then, place a pile of fire starters under the V-notch of the wooden board.
3. Place a foot on the board, wrap the bowstring around the whip, and place the end of the whip in the hollow shaped in the board.
4. Take the cushion in one hand and place it on top of the whisk to keep it securely in place.
5. Press on the whip and make it swirl in a back-and-forth motion with the bow.
6. "When you have mastered the movement well, press harder on the cushion and spin the whip faster. This friction will deposit a very hot black powder on the tinder capable of igniting a spark."
7. You must then blow on the fire starter until it ignites.

5. PRACTICAL TIPS

1. Use aged, non-aromatic hardwood, if possible.
2. Pick up the fire starter and the wood or other ignition product while on the way.
3. Add insect repellent to the fire starter.
4. Keep the firewood dry.
5. Dry the wet wood near the fire.
6. Cover the fire to keep the embers until the next day.
7. Take embers with you, when possible.
8. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving your campsite.
9. Do not use wood that has fallen on the ground, as it may appear dry but generally will not provide sufficient friction.

CONCLUSION