Starting a Fire Safely

In dry terrain or heavily wooded areas, you should consider the necessity of building a fire. In emergencies or cold weather, particularly at night, a fire may be critical. At other times, a fire may not be necessary.

If you decide to build a fire:

• Be extremely careful to avoid starting a fire that can spread to surrounding grass.
• Clear an area of bare dirt around the fire as a firebreak.
• Place rocks around the fire to help contain it.
• Watch out for flying ash and sparks.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Select a site where the fire’s heat will radiate into the shelter. Your sleeping area should be located between the shelter wall and the fire.
• If there is snow on the ground, build the fire on a platform of green logs or rocks.
• Gather everything you need before starting the fire. Pile downed wood ranging from small twigs to fuel logs next to the fire site.
• Collect more fuel than you think you can use; you may need it.
• Pile fine twigs, grass, or bark shavings loosely as a base. If you can’t find downed wood or dry kindling, shave dry wood from the inside of tree bark.
• Place slightly larger sticks on the kindling until the pile is about 10 inches high.
• If there’s a breeze, light one end of the kindling so that the flame is blown toward the rest of the fuel. Otherwise, light the kindling in the middle of the base.
• As the flames spread to the larger twigs, slowly add more wood to the blaze. Add larger pieces as the fire grows.