Campfire Scene

The soft glow and crackling sounds coming from the fire enhance any camping experience. Campers enjoy getting warm and cozy by the fire as the sun begins to set and the weather cools. These fires fill many needs by creating warmth, light, and even a spot for cooking dinner and roasting marshmallows. Creating the ideal campfire takes time and some work, but the end result is worth it. However, before enjoying s'mores, it’s essential to follow proper safety procedures when starting and maintaning any campfire.

Building Your Campfire

Fire WoodThe soft glow and crackling sounds coming from the fire enhance any camping experience. Campers enjoy getting warm and cozy by the fire as the sun begins to set and the weather cools. These fires fill many needs by creating warmth, light, and even a spot for cooking dinner and roasting marshmallows. Creating the ideal campfire takes time and some work, but the end result is worth it. However, before enjoying s'mores, it’s essential to follow proper safety procedures when starting and maintaning any campfire.

The process of making a campfire should begin before the fire is even needed. Materials should be gathered during the day, thus ensuring that you'll be ready to go when it is time to start the fire. Doing this during the day also ensures that materials will be easy to find. When it comes to finding a spot for the fire, look for an open location that isn’t too close to trees, shrubs, tents or other flammable materials. Avoid areas with low overhanging branches that could possibly catch fire. Be mindful not to build a campfire in an area that is extremely dry; and if possible, choose and existing fire pit when camping in a campground. There should be a diameter of about 10 feet around where your fire will be. Be sure to remove sticks, grass, twigs, and anything else from that area.

Once the area being used for the fire has been cleared, use a shovel to dig a pit that is about 2 feet deep and then line the border of the pit with large rocks. When the pit has been dug, first add small chopped pieces of dry wood that you brought with you or found near the campsite. Large pieces of wood work best as fuel for the fire, while small sticks that are around 1 inch in diameter serve as kindling, and small twigs, dry leaves, needles, and grass, create tinder in the fire. Place the tinder in the center of the fire pit, and then arrange the larger pieces of wood in a tipi shape pointing upwards or place the big blocks of wood in a flat crisscross fashion. Place pieces of kindling, and tinder on top of the larger pieces of wood. Use a match or lighter to ignite the fire and throw the match in the center of the pit, so that nothing else outside catches on fire.

Maintain your campfire by continually adding large pieces of dry wood to the blaze gradually. Use a larger piece of wood to stir the fire and allow the wood to burn down completely, if possible. Never cut wood from live trees or bushes. Instead, gather dry wood in the forest or bring your own wood to the camp site.

 

Safety

Always find out what the rules are in your particular campground. Some camping areas won’t allow you to dig new fire pits. In some cases you are only allowed to use existing pits and some forests don’t allow campfires at all. The rules are usually posted throughout the campground or when you first check in. Campers should always be aware of these rules before starting any campfires.

Keep all unused dry wood upwind and far away from your campfire. A shift in wind can cause a campfire to spread, so be prepared to put the fire out, if needed. It’s vital to keep a shovel and bucket of water handy just in case you need to put out your campfire quickly. Supervise children and pets around the fire, making sure neither gets too close. Don’t allow your campfire to grow beyond what you can control. Keep your fire manageable by only adding one or two pieces of wood at a time.

When the fire is no longer needed, make sure that it is completely out. The best way to do this is to pour water on the fire, making sure the water covers everything. If no water is present, dirt can also be used to put out the fire. A fire should never be left unattended unless it is fully extinguished.

Campfire Activities

Smores

A glowing campfire creates the perfect atmosphere for telling stories and singing songs. Kids can make up their own songs or you can stick with traditional favorites. Roasting marshmallows is a favored activity around the campfire, but you can also create all sorts of yummy treats using the fire. For dinner campers might enjoy feasting on grilled hot dogs or potato packets filled with herbs. To make potato packets, fill foil cups with mashed potatoes, salt, butter and chopped herbs. The foil packets are placed on a grill over the fire and cooked for up to 30 minutes. However, there is always the option of going with the simple classics of roasting marshmallows or making s'mores.