How To Build a Fire
Step 1: Preparing the Fire Pit
- Gather stones to make a fire pit. Pick stones that aren’t porous as these absorb moisture.
- Choose an area that’s far away from where people are or where children are playing.
- Dig a hole in the center of the area you chose. It should be around 10-30 cm deep.
Step 2: Gathering the Firewood
- Kindling: Small pieces of wood like twigs, pine needles, shredded paper, pinecones, and dried leaves.
- Tinder: Larger pieces of wood like small sticks and straw. Perfect for igniting the fire.
- Logs: The larger wooden logs that provide fuel to the fire. Make sure they’re dry and split.
Step 3: Starting the Fire
- Place the kindling and tinder in the center of the hole. You can use newspaper or dry leaves to cover the kindling if you want.
- Create a spark using any of the following methods: matchsticks, flint and steel, or a lighter.
- The sparks should be able to ignite the kindling. If it doesn’t, blow on the kindling to increase the flow of oxygen.
Step 4: Growing the Fire
- Once the kindling is burning, add the logs one at a time. Make sure the logs are small enough or split in two so you can place them easily and evenly.
- Position the logs in a way that there is space in between them so air can flow from any direction and feed the flames.
- Keep adding more logs as the fire needs to grow and keep moving the logs around so they can catch fire.
Step 5: Extinguishing the Fire
- When it’s time to put out the fire, use a bucket of water to completely soak it. Or, you can replace the logs with moist soil.
- The fire should be completely extinguished. Double-check that no embers are left and that all flames have been put out.
- Be careful not to leave any debris that can burn, especially if you’re in a dry area!.
Conclusion
Building a fire is a simple but important skill that all outdoors enthusiasts should have. Just follow these steps and you’ll be able to build a safe and reliable fire. Remember, safety always comes first!
