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Fire Building

Safety
Please Read

Campfires are great for many purposes, but they are dangerous if you are unsafe around them. So before we learn the skill we are going to learn the safety tools to keep us and those around us safe.

Safe Spot

The first thing you have to do when about to build a campfire is chose a safe spot. The best spot is inside the permanent fire ring, but these are not always available. First look and see if you can find a spot that has already been used, you can notice these by the black ash the fire leaves behind. Some of these spots are sometimes surrounded by a circle of rocks called a fire ring.

A lot of areas are covered in pine needles you will need to clear these away including any other flammable objects. Remember the placement is very important, once you burn a fire in a spot it can take years to disappear.

Fire Ring

The fire ring is a circle made of stone or metal that surrounds the fire and keeps it from spreading. You can make a ring with rocks you find nearby if there isn’t a man-made one where you are. Fire circles are always something you must have. These fire circles are helpful but they also are dangerous. After a long fire, they get really hot and can burn thing including yourself. Plastic melts and that means if you touch your shoes the circle they can start the meal. After the fire is out the ring is still very hot so be careful.

Water Bucket

A water bucket is a very important safety tool. You need to have a pail (hopefully not plastic) and fill it with water. This bucket will be inside your fire circle close to the fire ring. The water is used to put out your fire at the end or used for an emergency with your fire.

Feeding the Fire

Feeding a fire or tending to it can be more difficult than you suspect. This involves taking a piece of wood and gently placing it into the fire. A large part of this is not being afraid of the fire especially when getting that close. You need to pick a spot and appropriate pieces of wood. Then you need to reach out and place the wood on the spot. Don’t leave your hand there too long and if the stick moves you can use your critter stick to fix it.  

Putting out a fire

At the end of the night putting out your fire is going to become a big deal. First, you will want to take your water bucket and get it close to you. You may want to just pour water on top but that is not the best way. You want to sprinkle water on by dipping your hand in the water and dumping the water that is in your hand. Use your critter stick to spread all the sticks around getting them separated. Keep sprinkling water on them. You can tell when you are done when there are no more red glowing spots and if you can “float” your hand over the logs and you feel no heat. When no heat is felt you are done leave your water bucket with the fire, and never leave it unattended.

Safety Circle

A safety circle is a circle 5 feet around your campfire. You should always ask to enter someone else’s fire circle. Wood only goes in when you are adding to the fire.

Things That Burn

Lots of things burn. When you go down to start or tend a fire you should have nothing hanging down. Long hair is a large safety hazard, hair burns incredibly fast and should be pulled back when working with the fire. Sweatshirts can also be a problem, many of them have strings that hang down and you will need to keep them out of the way. Objects on the ground can be hazards as well. Look around notice the landscape and any possible hazard near you, and do your best to avoid them.

Tools

You will need a few tools and you need to know how to use them safely. First here are the tools you will need:

  • Rake

  • Shovel

The rake is used to clear away any obstacles from your safety circle. when the rake is put down it needs to be away from your safety circle and the tines (spikes) need to be going down into the ground not up where you can step on them.

The shovel is used to separate the wood and to check to make sure the fire is completely out. With this tool, the spade needs to be facing the ground like the rake.

With both these tools, you should mark them with something colorful so people can see that they are there.

Critter Stick

A critter stick is also a poker stick. Many people put them just next to the fire but that is not the safest way to handle this tool. Putting the stick in your water bucket is one of the best places. Now that your stick is wet it won't burn as easily. Small critters could get into the bucket and that would lead to their death but with the stick they can get out and be saved.

Behaviour

Your and others behavior is a large safety concern. Activities, like running, jumping, roughhousing, are activities that should be done outside your safety circle. When inside or near the fire/safety circle you should be aware of your actions and surroundings.

Matches/Fire Starters

Matches are usually a large element to starting your fire. But this simple tool can still be dangerous. Use matches respectfully. When another person is lighting a fire stay out of their way. When using them yourself you should tell the people around you that you are getting them out and announce when you are about to light them. Don’t hold the match upside down (letting the flame go up towards your fingers). Hold it at a downward angle. Move slowly if you move fast the flame will go out and then you have to start again. Place it into your fire, and pick a spot that will light quickly but won’t die out immediately either. Remember this is a fire you have to be smart about it.

Materials

  • Rake

  • Shovel

  • Fire Circle

  • Water Bucket

  • Matches

  • Extra Fire Starters

  • Wood

Collecting Wood

There are three sizes of wood you will need:

  • Tinder

    • Wood pencil size and smaller

    • These pieces will burn quickly collect lots

  • Kindling

    • Finger-sized wood

    • Use kindling as a transition from tinder to fuel

  • Fuel

    • These are the logs that will really feed your fire

    • Don’t start with a lot of these when you light your fire

Keep all the wood outside your fire safety circle and group it into piles. This will make it much easier to grab your wood.

At this point, you should choose a critter stick. Make it a long but thick stick, not too heavy though!

Types Of Fires

There are three main types of fires, they are all similar but they all have different uses:

  • Tepee

    • Good for heat

    • Not a great cooker

  • Log Cabin

    • Great cooker

    • Not best for heat

  • A-Frame

    • Starter fire

    • Can become log cabin and teepee

Building the Fire

  1. Before you leave your home

    1. Collect all your equipment

      1. Make a list including:

        1. Rake

        2. Shovel

        3. Fire Starter

        4. Hair Ties(For long hair)

        5. Water Bucket

        6. Wood

        7. Any other materials you will need

      2. Double check everything twice (Just to be sure)

    2. Pack

      1. Materials in transportation

      2. Make sure you have correct clothing

        1. Nothing too baggy

    3. Know what you are going to do before you leave

  2. When you reach your destination

    1. Scope out your area

      1. Walk around and notice your surroundings

      2. Look for fire hazards

    2. Chose spot

      1. Find a safe spot where there is the least amount of fire hazards

    3. Unload your materials

      1. Don’t forget your safety rules!

    4. Clear the spot

      1. Rake out your fire spot

    5. Set up a fire circle if a man-made one is not available

      1. Use rocks

      2. Watch your size you want it big but not too big.

    6. Create fire safety circle

      1. Remember 5 feet around

      2. That entire spot clear

    7. Begin to collect wood

      1. Start with tinder

      2. Then kindling

      3. And finally fuel

      4. Put the wood in size piles outside of your fire circle

    8. Decide on type of fire

    9. Build your fire

      1. Log Cabin

      2. Tepee

      3. A-Frame

  3. Cleaning Up

    1. Putting out the fire

      1. Remember your safety and put the fire out completely

      2. Remember the fire ring will be hot for a while

    2. Clean up

      1. Put everything away but leave the water bucket and critter stick

      2. Any wood you didn’t use you should put back where you found it

      3. Put all tools safely away

    3. Getting home

      1. Put everything back where it goes

Decide on Type of Fire
Log Cabin
Teepee
A-Frame

Building A Log Cabin

  1. First place two sticks next to each other make sure they are not touching, use you fuel

  2. Then place two more sticks on top of those going the opposite direction, use your fuel

  3. Fill the inside with your tinder and kindling

  4. Light the match and put it in the log cabin

Building a Tepee

  1. Use three pieces of fuel to make a tripod, thee sticks all standing up with each other

  2. Then cover the outside with your tinder and kindling

  3. Fill the inside with kindling

  4. Light the match and place it inside you tepee

Building An A-Frame

  1. What way is the wind coming from?

    1. This helps determine the position of your fire

  2. Build your A with the bottom facing where the wind is coming from

    1. Made with fuel

    2. Make the cross of your A with kindling

  3. Fill the top of the A with your fire starter

  4. Cover that with your tinder

  5. Put more of your firestarter on top

  6. Light your match and place it in your fire starter

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