A campfire is essential to any camping trip. Steve Farzam instructs you how to liven up your trip by making a great campfire.

1. HOW TO BUILD A GREAT
CAMPFIRE

2. CREATE YOUR FIRE PIT
1. Be aware of your surroundings. You don't want to start a wildfire.
2. If your campsite has a designated fire pit, use it.
3. If you’re in the backcountry or a more rugged area, you will need to
create your own pit.
- Choose an area that is clear of trees, bushes, and other plant
material.
- Create a space on bare earth, not on grass, especially dead
grass.
- Make your own if you can't find a bare area. Dig and rake
away all dry plant material
4. When you have a clear area, make your fire bed. Gather dirt and place
it in the center of your cleared area, shaping the dirt into a 3-4" thick
platform.

3. GATHER YOUR
WOOD
Tinder: materials like dry leaves and
bark, twigs, wood shavings, dry
grass and needles, and fluffy fungi.
Catches fire easily & burns quickly.
Kindling: typically small sticks,
twigs, and branches, about 1” in
width. Needs to be dry to burn.
Fuel: large pieces of wood about
the size of your forearm, to keep
the fire roaring.
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2
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Please Note: Do Not Cut Whole Trees or Branches

4. LAY YOUR FIRE
P i l e a f e w h a n d f u l s o f t i n d e r i n t o t h e c e n t e r o f
y o u r f i r e p i t , t h e n a d d k i n d l i n g t o y o u r p r e f e r r e d
l a y .
Teepee: Lay the kindling over the tinder like you’re building a tent, leaving an
opening on the side the wind is blowing against. This method is best used for
cooking.
Lean-to: Stick a long piece of kindling into the ground at an angle over the tinder,
pointing into the wind. Then lean smaller pieces of kindling against the longer
piece in the ground.
Log Cabin: This method is best for long lasting campfires. Start with a teepee lay
and then surround your pile of tinder with kindling, stacking pieces at right angles.
The top should consist of the smallest kindling.

5. ONCE YOUR FIRE IS BUILT
ignite the tinder with a match or lighter, blowing lightly at
the base of the fire. As the fire grows, add more kindling
and fuel to keep the fire going.
Always keep the fire small and under control, and never
leave it unattended.