How to Build a Fire || REI

REI

25 Apr 201703:24

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Campfire Arrangement Techniques

This paragraph discusses the importance of a well-arranged campfire for a successful camping experience. It highlights the need to use a designated fire ring and adhere to campground regulations, especially regarding firewood gathering. The paragraph introduces three types of fuel necessary for building a fire: Tinder, kindling, and fuel wood. Tinder includes dry bark, leaves, or pine needles, while kindling consists of small sticks that burn longer. Fuel wood refers to larger logs that provide a long-lasting fire. Three common campfire arrangements are described: the Tepee, which is easy to light but requires frequent tending; the Log Cabin, which offers a large, quickly established fire with minimal maintenance; and the Upside Down or Pyramid fire, ideal for a long-lasting fire with minimal tending. The paragraph concludes with instructions on safely extinguishing the fire and additional resources for learning more about camping and backcountry fires.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Campfire

A campfire is an outdoor fire built in a designated fire ring, typically for cooking, warmth, or socializing during camping trips. In the video, the campfire serves as the central theme, with various techniques discussed to build and maintain it effectively. The script emphasizes safety and proper arrangement of wood to ensure a good campfire experience.

💡Fire Ring

A fire ring is a designated area, often made of stones or metal, designed to contain a campfire. It is crucial for safety, as it keeps the fire contained and away from flammable materials. The script instructs viewers to use a designated fire ring, highlighting its importance in preventing wildfires and ensuring a controlled burning environment.

💡Tinder

Tinder refers to easily ignitable materials used to start a fire. It includes dry bark, leaves, or pine needles, and can also be homemade materials like dryer lint or cotton balls coated in petroleum jelly. In the video, tinder is the first layer of the fire structure, essential for igniting kindling and fuel wood.

💡Kindling

Kindling consists of small sticks or twigs that burn longer than tinder but are smaller than fuel wood. It plays a critical role in transitioning the fire from the initial tinder stage to the burning of larger logs. The script mentions kindling as a necessary component in building various campfire structures, such as the Tepee and Log Cabin techniques.

💡Fuel Wood

Fuel wood refers to larger logs that are used to sustain the fire for an extended period. These logs burn longer into the night, providing a continuous source of heat and light. The script discusses the importance of fuel wood in campfire maintenance, especially when building fires that require less tending, like the Upside Down Fire.

💡Tepee

The Tepee is a campfire arrangement technique where tinder and kindling are placed in the middle, and a cone of smaller logs is built around it. This structure is known for lighting easily and requiring less wood, but it necessitates more tending compared to other methods. The script describes the Tepee as a quick and easy way to build a campfire.

💡Log Cabin

The Log Cabin technique is another campfire arrangement where larger logs are laid with gaps between them, and smaller logs are placed across in layers, resembling the structure of a log cabin. This method allows for a relatively big fire to be built quickly with minimal tending and results in many hot coals. The script highlights the Log Cabin as an efficient way to build a substantial campfire.

💡Upside Down Fire

The Upside Down Fire, also known as a pyramid fire, is a method where logs are arranged in decreasing size from the bottom up, forming a pyramid shape. This structure is designed for a long-burning fire that requires minimal tending. The script recommends this technique for those who want a fire that lasts without needing to add more wood frequently.

💡Fire Regulation

Fire regulations refer to the rules and guidelines set by campgrounds or local authorities regarding the use of fire, including gathering firewood and building fires. The script advises viewers to check these regulations before building a campfire, emphasizing the importance of adhering to local laws and safety measures.

💡Extinguishing Fire

Extinguishing a fire involves putting out the flames and embers completely to prevent any risk of reignition. The script instructs viewers to pour water on the embers and stir them until the ashes are cool to the touch, ensuring that the fire is completely out. This step is crucial for safety and preventing wildfires.

Highlights

A good campfire requires a proper arrangement of wood and adherence to safety regulations.

Use a designated Fire Ring away from flammable materials and keep water on hand to extinguish the fire.

Check campground regulations, especially for gathering firewood.

Three types of fuel are needed: Tinder, kindling, and fuel wood.

Tinder includes dry bark, leaves, pine needles, or homemade options like dryer lint or petroleum jelly-coated cotton balls.

Kindling consists of small sticks that burn longer than Tinder.

Fuelwood are larger logs that burn for an extended period.

The Tepee method is a quick and easy campfire to build, requiring frequent tending.

The Log Cabin technique allows for a large fire with minimal tending and results in hot coals.

For the Log Cabin, start with larger logs laid with gaps, then add more logs across like building a cabin.

An upside-down or pyramid fire is ideal for a long-lasting fire with minimal tending.

To build a pyramid fire, start with the largest logs at the bottom with minimal gaps, then add layers of decreasing size.

When extinguishing a fire, pour water on the Embers and stir until cool to ensure safety.

Always ensure the fire is completely out before leaving the campsite.

For more information on camping and backcountry fires, additional resources are available.