What Three Things Does a Fire Need To Burn?
Every fire that’s ever burned on the face of the earth since time immemorial has possessed three principle elements— fuel, heat, and oxygen. If any one of these is missing, your fire is doomed. Get these three things right, and you’ll have steady flames every time.
1. Fuel (aka wood)
Fuel will keep your fire burning as long as you need it to — for cooking, drying your shitty socks or heating up your shivering body after a cold-water session in the surf. . I always like to have three piles of firestarter ready to go before I even attempt to light it — one pile of tinder (dry grass, bark shavings, or pine needles), another for super small dry-as-possible twigs, and another for small sticks of kindling. Once your base catches you can place bigger split logs on. Build it in stages so your fire grows naturally.
Fuel will keep your fire burning as long as you need it to — for cooking, drying your shitty socks or heating up your shivering body after a cold-water session in the surf. . I always like to have three piles of firestarter ready to go before I even attempt to light it — one pile of tinder (dry grass, bark shavings, or pine needles), another for super small dry-as-possible twigs, and another for small sticks of kindling. Once your base catches you can place bigger split logs on. Build it in stages so your fire grows naturally.
Firestarter’s Secret #1:
If you plan to make a fire in the morning, stash a few pieces of dry wood inside your tent or vestibule overnight. It stays dry, even in wet weather — and lights instantly when you wake.
Firestarter’s Secret #2:
Pine pitch. This is an outdoorsman’s special — that sticky amber sap on pine, fir, or spruce bark that burns hot and long, even when damp. A pea-sized chunk acts like nature’s lighter fluid. Look for "wounded" trees, you’ll see it seeping out of broken parts.
Can you spot the super secret weapon she's wearing? Work gloves. Keep them in your camp kit, they're invaluable for moving sticks around and preventing slivers and splinters.
2. Heat
You need a spark to start it all. A good ‘ol Bic lighter should always be in your pocket when you’re camping. To prevent burning your thumb, light a piece of paper and feed it gently into the fire until your kindling catches.
You need a spark to start it all. A good ‘ol Bic lighter should always be in your pocket when you’re camping. To prevent burning your thumb, light a piece of paper and feed it gently into the fire until your kindling catches.
Firestarter’s Secret:
Wrap a few feet of duct tape around your lighter. It makes it easy to find, it's grippy in cold hands, and gives you emergency repair tape if something breaks. Plus, it’s way easier to identify when (not if) someone steals your lighter.
Wrap a few feet of duct tape around your lighter. It makes it easy to find, it's grippy in cold hands, and gives you emergency repair tape if something breaks. Plus, it’s way easier to identify when (not if) someone steals your lighter.
Always make sure enough air flow is happening...
3. Oxygen
The silent partner. Stack your kindling teepee-style or in a log cabin so air can move freely. If your fire starts to fade, it probably needs more air, not more wood.
Firestarter’s Secret:
Campers across the world use a fire pipe — a small metal tube with one flattened end — to blow air right into the base of the fire. It’s simple, smokeless, and wildly effective.
Campers across the world use a fire pipe — a small metal tube with one flattened end — to blow air right into the base of the fire. It’s simple, smokeless, and wildly effective.
Keep it tall and get creative....it's more fun. (just don't be an idiot ;)
Once you balance fuel, heat, and oxygen, you’ve got more than a fire — you’ve got warmth, light, and the comfort of knowing you can make it yourself.
Seek Freedom. Stay warm. Keep your fire burning.
The RISE Outdoor Crew
Leave a comment