Chapter 4 · FireTypes of campfires
Chapter 4 · Fire

Types of campfires

1 min read

Figure 4.2. Teepee fire and log cabin fire (simplified side view).

Teepee

  1. Put the tinder in a small pile in the center.
  2. Lean kindling around it in a cone, leaving a "door" on the side the wind comes from.
  3. Light the tinder through the door.
  4. Add thicker wood to the cone as it catches. When it collapses, it becomes a good bed of coals.

Log cabin

  1. Build a small teepee with tinder and kindling.
  2. Place two logs parallel on the sides and two crossed on top, like a cabin, in 3 or 4 layers, each shorter than the last.
  3. Light the inner teepee. The cabin burns evenly and leaves coals for cooking.

Lean-to variation: drive a stick into the ground at an angle over the tinder, on the side opposite the wind, and lean kindling against it. It works in strong wind.