| Make sure you are allowed to start fires where you | | | | fire using a long, thin stick and twirling it fast |
| are going. The Forest Service discourages campfires | | | | between your palms with a board with some tinder |
| because they cause a hazard and leave an ugly scar | | | | next to the point of friction. Or use a magnifying |
| in the forest. So if possible use a stove for | | | | glass to focus the rays of the sun on a piece of |
| low-impact (no trace) camping. If you have to start a | | | | paper to start a fire. |
| fire - if you are lost it may make a difference for | | | | Cone Fire: Make a tepee of tinder and sticks, with |
| survival - here's how. | | | | the tinder inside. Cone fires burn fast. |
| Pack your own firewood if you can. If you gather | | | | Hunter's Fire: This is also a quick fire. Start a small fire, |
| wood in the forest to burn, use only wood from the | | | | then as coals start forming, put two small logs |
| ground that you can break with your hands. Keep | | | | straddling the fire, so the wind blows between them. |
| your fire small. | | | | Let them support the pot as they burn. |
| Choose a place away from tree roots and branches, | | | | Keyhole Fire: This is a good long-lasting fire. With |
| a place where a fire was lit in the past if you can find | | | | stones, mark out the shape of a keyhole. The long |
| one. Clear a circle about 10 feet in diameter and build | | | | section should be 3-6 feet long, wide enough to |
| the fire in the center. Taking away all of the debris | | | | support pots. Start a fire in the circular section and |
| increases the chance that the fire will spread. | | | | push burning wood down into the corridor as needed |
| Gather tinder (easily burning small fuel like fire | | | | to heat pots. |
| starters, dead evergreen twigs, dry dead bark); | | | | Pyramid Fire: Put down tinder, then build a log cabin |
| kindling (dry sticks); firewood (larger wood). Start by | | | | of wood around it. On top lay wood to make the |
| placing the kindling crisscross over the tinder. The | | | | whole thing into a box. |
| general rule is to go from small to large. You can fuzz | | | | Never leave a fire alone. Pour water and dirt over it |
| sticks to make them burn better-just whittle the | | | | twice before you leave. Stir the embers, make sure |
| outside into scales. | | | | the fire is cold. If you see steam, it is still not out. |
| If you are stuck without matches, you can start a | | | | Bury the ashes and put forest debris over the spot. |