1. Location is Key
The first thing to consider in campfire building is location. Take a minute to think about the best place to build your campfire, preferably a sheltered area safely away from tree trunks, hanging branches, and of course, your tent. The area should be cleared of debris and and should include a fire pit about four inches deep and two feet across. A fire ring around the edges will provide a safe outer barrier for the campfire.
2. Fueling Your Fire
A successful campfire requires three types of wood: tinder, kindling and firewood. Tinder such as wood shavings, dry grass, pine needles, or bark will produce a quick, hot blaze, but if you try to add firewood now, your fire will likely fail, because kindling is needed to build the fire from a tiny blaze to a campfire. Kindling is simply twigs and small sticks of wood no bigger than a pencil. Lastly, you'll need some larger wood that will keep the fire burning once you've started it. Look for fallen trees, broken branches, and chunks of wood that you find on the ground. Never remove anything from a standing tree, even if it looks dead.
3. The Right Arrangement
Once you've gathered the necessary wood, the next step is arranging it to give your campfire the best chance of success. Pile the tinder in the middle of the fire pit, with the kindling piled loosely over the tinder. The larger pieces of firewood should surround the kindling, and this can be done in a triangular, teepee shape or crossed piece over piece in a square arrangement. Be sure to leave space to put a match through the firewood and kindling into the tinder. This takes a bit of effort, but the result is a fire that will last a long time with plenty of great coals for cooking.
4. Light it Up
If you've built the fire correctly with dry wood, one match will be all it takes to bring all of the preparation to a satisfying blaze. Shield the match from the breeze, and drop it through the gaps in the wood and onto the tinder in the center. If the fire struggles, inhale deeply and blow steadily into the lower part of the flames. Now, sit back and enjoy the reward of a warm, crackling campfire.
5. Safety First and Last
Safety is the most important part of building a campfire, because a small campfire can become a raging blaze in seconds. Plenty of of sand or water should be within easy reach at all times and the fire should never be left unattended. It's best to keep the fire reasonably-sized, because a gigantic bonfire is an invitation for trouble. Be sure to extinguish the fire completely before you leave, scatter the rocks and leave the area as you found it.
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