One of the most iconic images of camping, other then the tent, is the campfire. Pretty much everyone has memories of sitting around a campfire swapping stories, toasting marshmallows or singing songs. However, without a little knowledge a campfire could prove difficult to build and end up a real danger.

• If you’re out in the wilderness, then you’ll have to create your own campfire safe location with a few simple steps.
• Clear area of all debris/avoid area with overhanging branches
• Construct a fire ring surrounded by rocks
• Have a bucket of water, shovel and a fire extinguisher nearby and ready to put out a fire
• Stack firewood away from the burning area so that sparks and ashes won’t ignite it.

To start your fire you’ll need a few things, including 3 types of wood.

• Tinder - small twigs, wood shavings, dry leaves or grass, dry needles or bark. This should start to burn immediately with a lighted match.
• Kindling - small sticks 1" around or less
• Fuel- larger wood that keeps the fire going

Start with a couple hands full of tinder loosely piled in the center of your fire ring. Ignite the tinder with a match, it’s best to have your back to the wind, and discard the match into the fire pit area. Slowly add more tinder and when you have a good burn on the tinder begin adding some small kindling. Remember that if you go too quickly or add too much to begin with you’ll smother the fire and have to start over. Add gradually larger pieces of kindling until you have a strong flame, then begin adding your fuel (larger pieces of wood) one piece at a time. There are two best options for adding the fuel.

• Teepee: good for quick cooking since the heat is concentrated in one spot. Lay the fuel over your kindling like a tepee.
• Crisscross: good for a long lasting fire with a lot of coals. Excellent for a campfire. Lay the fuel over the kindling in a crisscross pattern

 Once your fire is built, it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s contained, safe and eventually fully extinguished. 

• Keep debris such as leaves or twigs away in a three foot diameter area around the fire site
• Adults, not kids, should maintain campfires.
• Keep the fire under adult surveillance at all times: supervise children and pets; and prevent the fire from getting too big or sparks from flying into the bush.
• Have a bucket of water, sand and a shovel handy.
• Totally extinguish the fire before you go to sleep or when you leave the site. Douse in water, mix ashes with a stick and douse again then repeat until all is cool then burry in sand or dirt.