How to Build a Fire || REI

Summary

This video script offers a guide to building three common campfire arrangements: the Tepee, Log Cabin, and Pyramid. It emphasizes the importance of safety, using designated fire rings, and adhering to campground regulations. The script details the use of Tinder, kindling, and fuel wood, and provides step-by-step instructions for each fire type, ensuring viewers can create a successful campfire with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.

Takeaways

• ⚠️ Always use a designated fire ring and follow campground regulations when building a campfire.
• 💧 Keep water on hand to extinguish the fire and ensure it's completely out before leaving.
• 🔥 Three types of fuel are necessary: Tinder for quick ignition, kindling for sustained burning, and fuel wood for a long-lasting fire.
• 🌲 Tinder can be natural like dry bark or pine needles, or homemade like dryer lint coated in petroleum jelly.
• 🏕️ The Tepee method is a quick and easy campfire to build, but it requires more tending than other methods.
• 🏠 The Log Cabin technique allows for a large, hot fire with minimal tending and results in many hot coals.
• 🔥 For a long-burning fire with minimal tending, the upside-down or pyramid fire is an excellent choice.
• 🔥 When building a fire, ensure there's space for air flow to help the fire burn efficiently.
• 🧯 To extinguish a campfire, pour water over the embers and stir until the ashes are cool to the touch.
• 🌳 Be mindful of the environment and local regulations when gathering firewood.

Q & A

What are the three types of fuel needed to build a campfire?

The three types of fuel needed are Tinder, kindling, and fuel wood.

What is Tinder and what are some examples of natural Tinder?

Tinder is anything that catches fire quickly. Natural examples include dry bark and leaves or pine needles.

What are some homemade options for Tinder?

Homemade Tinder options include dryer lint or cotton balls coated in petroleum jelly.

What is kindling and what is its purpose in a campfire?

Kindling consists of small sticks that burn longer than Tinder, helping to ignite the fuel wood.

What is the purpose of fuel wood in a campfire?

Fuel wood are the larger logs that burn long into the night, providing sustained heat for the campfire.

What is a Tepee campfire and how is it built?

A Tepee campfire is built by placing Tinder in the middle and building a cone of smaller logs around it. It lights easily and doesn't require much wood.

How often do you need to tend a Tepee campfire?

You'll need to tend a Tepee campfire more often than other options because it requires gathering the wood and Embers and throwing on larger logs as it burns.

What is the Log Cabin technique for building a campfire and what are its advantages?

The Log Cabin technique involves laying down larger logs with gaps between them and placing more logs across like a cabin. It allows for a quick start and results in lots of hot coals with minimal tending.

How should you arrange the logs for an upside-down or pyramid fire?

For an upside-down or pyramid fire, lay the largest logs at the bottom with minimal space between them, then add layers of slightly smaller logs until the smallest pieces are on top.

What is the benefit of an upside-down fire for a campfire?

An upside-down fire is great for a long-burning fire that doesn't need much tending once it gets started, allowing you to enjoy the fire for hours without adding more wood.

How should you put out a campfire when you're done?

To put out a campfire, pour water on the Embers and stir them around until the ashes are cool to the touch. Keep adding water and stirring, but avoid flooding the fire ring.

What are some safety considerations when building a campfire?

Ensure you use a designated Fire Ring away from flammable materials, keep water on hand to extinguish the fire, and check campground regulations about firewood gathering.