Building and Starting Campfires

How to Build a Campfire that Will Toast Your Marshmallows

Did you ever build a campfire just to watch it fizzle out? Maybe your campfire never even really got started. Campfire building can be frustrating for the inexperienced. Campfires are actually easy to build and will successfully burn, even when using damp firewood - if you know what you're doing. Building a campfire isn't as simple as piling up a few logs and tossing in a burning newspaper or two. There are methods of building campfires for specific purposes. A campfire used to cook upon should be designed differently than a campfire used primarily for heat. The way the logs and sticks are placed determines the intensity of the heat, burning time, and spark emission.

Campfire Location

Choosing a good location for your campfire is extremely important, especially when planning a campfire outside of designated campfire areas. A poorly chosen campfire location can cause a forest fire, so be extra cautious when deciding on a location.

When considering a campfire location where designated campfire pits are unavailable, choose an area where the ground is level. Also, when choosing a location for your campfire, be sure there are no overhanging tree branches, brush, or bushes, and be certain there aren't any tree roots protruding through the soil. There shouldn't be anything that could burn within at least, an 8-foot radius of the campfire location.

Ground Preparation

Prepare the ground designated for your campfire by removing anything that could burn. This includes grass, sticks, pine cones, dead leaves, pine needles, and anything ignitable. There should be nothing but damp soil beneath the campfire. Rake up any debris, and place it away from the fire. Natural debris, otherwise known as "duff" can be used to get the fire started.

If rocks are available, make a stone circle in which to build the campfire. The stones will help reflect the heat and deflect the wind. Rocks will also help keep burning firewood in place.

Collecting Firewood