Build a campfire to meet your needs

by BJ
(wilderness US)

Lakota people always took care to build the type of fire they needed to best suit those needs.

Ex: for a small fire to heat water on the go, drive 4 green sticks vertically into the ground to support your water container. Fill in between area with fluff, tinder, kindling and start the fire...it will burn in a confined area, and be very hot...just what you need to boil that water. The green sticks will not burn during this time.

For a longer burning fire, and in windy areas, use a firepit with a chimney. Dig two pits...one for the fire and one near it for the feed...tunnel under the ground to join the two for the best chimney. If you just want to feed, make the pit and place the long feeder logs into the fire after it is going. Slide them up as needed for a longlasting fire.

I like the firepit with chimney to increase the temperature of the fire...good for baking and longer need fires without worrying about wind causing brush fires or actually putting it out too soon.

I always keep my Magnesium starter and fluff... and make/pack firestarter cubes (tinder bundles,tallow or kerosene impregnated) for times when the wood might be damp and need help drying out to really get going.

Staying aware of tindersources is important...keep a ready firebag at all times.

I also keep cordage and blocks for emergency bowfiremaking.