Tips for Building a Fire When Backpacking Through the Woods
Building a small fire out in the back country is relatively easy to do provided you have the right tools for the job.
But first you need to make sure that fires are allowed in the area you are hiking in.
Many parks either don't allow fires in the back country areas of national parks or limit them in size.
And depending on the time of year and the amount of forest fire activity they may be banned altogether.
Check before you head out and don't rely on a campfire while you're hiking in the event that things change like fire bans, rain or other unforseen elements.
However, many national parks do provide fire pits of some kind even in the back country.
Ultimately it provides the park with some protection against accidental forest fires caused by improperly built fires or fires built too closely to dry trees or low hanging branches.
If fire pits or fire rings are provided where you are hiking, make sure to use them instead of creating new fire pits yourself.
If a fire pit or fire ring is provided for your use you can follow the directions here to build your fire.
Gather up the following: Tinder - small dry sticks found on the ground/bark/dry grass/paper/moss/dryer lint.
Kindling - dry twigs/small branches found on the ground/small pieces of wood (you may have to split larger pieces with your axe).
Dry wood - the main fuel source - larger pieces of dry wood.
This is what keeps the fire burning.
Building the fire: Using the firepit, gather the tinder in the center and surround it loosely with some of the kindling.
Light the tinder.
You may have to blow on it to get it going.
Once the tinder is burning add more kindling.
When the kindling is burning, place the larger wood pieces in a teepee shape over the kindling.
Once the fire has burned down a bit you are ready to use your fire for any cooking or water heating you'd like to do.
If you've brought along a lightweight camp grill, the fire should be ready to place the grill on top for cooking.
If you do not have a fire pit to use simply make your own.
Here's how: Clear an area about 4-5 feet in diameter and surround it with a ring of large rocks.
Follow the rest of the steps above to create your fire.
Some good campfire rules to follow: Always keep a bucket of water beside your campfire.
Never build a campfire near your tent.
Always completely extinguish your campfire.
Always pour water over any charred logs or wood.
Happy Hiking!
But first you need to make sure that fires are allowed in the area you are hiking in.
Many parks either don't allow fires in the back country areas of national parks or limit them in size.
And depending on the time of year and the amount of forest fire activity they may be banned altogether.
Check before you head out and don't rely on a campfire while you're hiking in the event that things change like fire bans, rain or other unforseen elements.
However, many national parks do provide fire pits of some kind even in the back country.
Ultimately it provides the park with some protection against accidental forest fires caused by improperly built fires or fires built too closely to dry trees or low hanging branches.
If fire pits or fire rings are provided where you are hiking, make sure to use them instead of creating new fire pits yourself.
If a fire pit or fire ring is provided for your use you can follow the directions here to build your fire.
Gather up the following: Tinder - small dry sticks found on the ground/bark/dry grass/paper/moss/dryer lint.
Kindling - dry twigs/small branches found on the ground/small pieces of wood (you may have to split larger pieces with your axe).
Dry wood - the main fuel source - larger pieces of dry wood.
This is what keeps the fire burning.
Building the fire: Using the firepit, gather the tinder in the center and surround it loosely with some of the kindling.
Light the tinder.
You may have to blow on it to get it going.
Once the tinder is burning add more kindling.
When the kindling is burning, place the larger wood pieces in a teepee shape over the kindling.
Once the fire has burned down a bit you are ready to use your fire for any cooking or water heating you'd like to do.
If you've brought along a lightweight camp grill, the fire should be ready to place the grill on top for cooking.
If you do not have a fire pit to use simply make your own.
Here's how: Clear an area about 4-5 feet in diameter and surround it with a ring of large rocks.
Follow the rest of the steps above to create your fire.
Some good campfire rules to follow: Always keep a bucket of water beside your campfire.
Never build a campfire near your tent.
Always completely extinguish your campfire.
Always pour water over any charred logs or wood.
Happy Hiking!
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