Building a fire successfully

Two tried and true methods

My parents were familiar with building a fire successfully - whether we were having a campfire outside or a fireplace fire in the house - because they were both involved with Boy Scouts and Girl Guides for many years.

Here are two methods they taught me: the teepee fire and the crisscross fire.

Teepee Fire

For the teepee fire, start by gathering some tinder (easily combustible material such as dry pine needles, leaves, grass or birch bark) and/or paper to use as a base.

Then arrange some fine twigs around the base in the form of a teepee. Add more sticks, gradually increasing the size and length, until the teepee is the size you want.

Crisscross Fire

Start with two logs about one foot long (30 centimeters) and about the thickness of a large man's ankle. Lay them parallel about 8 - 10 inches apart (20 - 25 centimeters). Place some tinder between the logs. Then lay fine twigs about 1 inch ((2.5 centimeters) apart across the two logs. Next make a layer of slightly heavier twigs on top of the first - at right angles to it. Then make a third layer of heavier sticks, again at right angles to the layer below it.

If you use either of these methods, you should be able to get a fire going without difficulty.

Note: If you are having a fire outdoors, always light the fire from the windward side.

Good old fashioned fire starter

Roll lengths of newspaper tightly to a thickness of a man's middle finger. Tie the newspaper roll approximately every 3 inches (8 centimeters) with natural fiber twine. Cut the rolls into 4 inch lengths (10 centimeters) and drop into hot melted paraffin wax. Allow to soak for 15 minutes then remove from the wax and allow the fire starters to dry. These are known as "trench candles."

Tip: You can waterproof matches by dipping wooden safety matches in hot (melted) paraffin wax. Remove and allow to dry.