The Art of the Flame
The Guide to Fire Starting in the Wilderness
Below are the steps that one must take to have a successful, enduring Flame.
Step 1 :
The steps of doing this are:
- Decide on a location that is protected from the wind, approximately 15(or more) feet away from your sleeping area and other things, and away from tree limbs or flammable objects hanging overhead.
- Clear a 10' diameter around the fire site, removing all grass, leaves, twigs, and wood that may be in the way.
- Dig a pit in the dirt that is approximately 12 inches at the deepest point(the center.)
- Surround the pit with rocks and stones.
Your finished fire pit should resemble the below image.
Step 2:
Below is a list of the three different fire-fuels that you will be gathering and an explanation of each fuel's purpose.
Tinder
It may consist of thin strips of tree bark, paper, dryer lint, or certain types of fungi.
These assorted materials are used to start the fire.
Kindling
It generally consists of sticks that are less than an inch wide.
Fuel
If you do not have any paper or dryer lint, tree bark is an easier and safer choice of tinder versus the certain types of fungi, since fungi can be potentially poisonous, and difficult to find through the thick shrubbery of a tropical island.
Step 3 :
Step 4 :
There are multiple methods of arranging kindling in the pit, below there is a list of some these methods.
The Tepee
The Lean-To
The Log Cabin
Step 5 :
There are multiple methods that can be used to start a fire, below is a list and explanation of some of these methods.