My fondest memories are sitting around a campfire, trying to stay warm, telling campfire stories or being told stories by friends and family. Just staring into the bright red coals with the flames flickering around them is so relaxing to me. With that said lets talk about building a fire.

Pick out a spot in the open away from dried grass, brush, trees and other campers. Don’t build a fire close to your tent, sparks from the fire will fly up in the air if there is a breeze, it could catch your tent on fire. Set up a fire ring, if one is not provided where you are camping, then you can make one out of large rocks. The fire ring will hold the ashes, contain the fire, to keep it from spreading to far out on the ground. I like to bring along my own cut wood, just encase the area I am camping in is scarce for firewood.

To start a fire you will some small tender like-loose bark, small sticks, pine needles, dry leaves, newspaper or anything that will catch fire easily. After you have a small fire going, start gradually adding larger sticks of wood. A folding saw or axe works great for cutting some of the larger sticks. As your fire gets larger and hotter you can add large cuts of wood. There is no certain way you need to place the larger cuts of wood on the fire as long as you have air flow from hot coals to the top of the fire this will keep the large pieces burning. Keep adding wood until you have achieved a nice controllable size campfire.

Raging, blazing campfires are not safe and could cause flying embers to set a neighboring tent or camper on fire or even start a forest fire.

Building a campfire is common sense, once you have built your first campfire you will be well on your way to becoming an expert fire builder. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and be safe.

Share with us, your experience building your first campfire.