Basic Fire Building Skills

You choose your favorite rifle with its leather sling, strap on your 9mm and holster for just-in-case and head out into the wilderness. As the sun fades, you may find the need to build a fire for warmth or to boil drinking water and yes to cook that rabbit you killed, or even signal someone to rescue you. If you require fire for survival you will need to take great precaution in the size of your fire. It would not be a good thing to burn down forest or destroy property. In this article you will learn: 1. The basic philosophy of fire. 2. Selecting a site to build a survival fire. 3. Material to use. 4. How to build a fire. 5. How to light it.

BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF FIRE

When learning how to build a fire it's helpful to have a basic understanding of what fire really is. Fuel does not burn directly, heat needs to be applied to the fuel to cause it to emit gasses when mixed with oxygen will burn. The fire triangle is very important in understanding how fire operates and how to maintain its use. There are three sides to the fire triangle: heat, air and fuel. If any of these three elements are removed, a fire cannot exist. Conversely to build a fire one must use the appropriate mixtures of the fire triangle.

SELECTING A SITE FOR A FIRE
When considering building a fire you have to make sure the site where you build is suitable for small and large fires. So, before you build think about:
The area in which you are to build.
The materials you plan to use to build a fire.
How much time you have to get the fire built.
Why you need to even have a fire.

Throw your rifle sling over your shoulder and scout around looking for a dry spot that:
Is protected from the wind
Down wind from your shelter
Will give you the best heat.
Has a supply of fuel (wood) readily available.

If there is a lot of brush or leaves in the area where you are planning to build a fire, scrape a place at least 1 yard in diameter all the way to the dirt surface lessening the chance of the fire spreading. If you have enough time, build a small rock wall in a circle around the area. Build it slightly higher on the opposite side you want the heat to flow. This will also hinder sparks from freely flying by cutting down the wind on your fire.

MATERIAL TO USE
You will need three substances to build a fire: tinder, kindling, and fuel. Tinder is something dry that requires very little heat to catch. It should only take a spark to light tinder. It must be absolutely dry. If you have a piece of charred cloth, it will work the best because it holds a spark the longest so you can add kindling to it to start a small fire. You can make charred cloth by heating it till it turns black but without burning. Once black, keep it completely dry so as to not absorb any moisture. You can make up some charred cloth in advance of any outdoor excursion.

Kindling burns easily and is effortlessly applied to tinder that is burning. This, as well as the tinder, must be totally dry so that it burns readily. The purpose of kindling is to create a hotter fire so it can burn fuel which is not so easily ignited. Fuel is material that requires more heat to burn and stay burning for long periods of time. Wood shavings and leaves are very good kindling.

HOW TO BUILD A FIRE
There are several techniques to build a fire but the easiest is the teepee. To make a teepee you need to assemble the tinder, kindling and fuel in the shape of a teepee or a cone. Then light the tinder at the center of the bottom of the teepee. As the fuel ignites and burns the fuel will fall toward the center thereby adding fuel to the fire as it burns.

HOW TO LIGHT THE FIRE
Be sure you light your fire from the upwind side so as not to burn yourself while lighting. There are several types of starters.  If you use matches, make sure you purchase the waterproof variety as well as a water tight container for storage. Assuming you have matches to do this, apply the match to the tinder and let it burn to ignite the kindling and then the fuel.

SUMMARY
Remember fire can be your friend or enemy. As a friend it can save your life; as an enemy it can take your life. Be careful and have fun in the wilderness.