Depending on which materials you have, the climate and terrain you are
dealing with, and your specific need for the fire (warmth or cooking), you have
many techniques to choose from when arranging your materials. In general, all of
the following techniques start with a small pile of kindling, loosely stacked so
that air can feed the flames. As the flames get stronger, add bigger and bigger
branches and logs. Remember to leave space between them for the air.
There are many more options than the following to choose from, but these are
common, work well in many situations, and are simple.
Tepee: Using your tinder material, build a tepee structure. When you
light the center, the tinder will fall inward and feed the fire. Even wet wood,
burns well with this technique.
Lean-To: At a 30-degree angle, put a green stick into the ground with
its end pointing in the direction of the wind. Put tinder as far under the stick
as possible and lean kindling against it as well. Light the tinder. As the
kindling catches fire, add bigger and bigger branch pieces and logs.
Cross-Ditch: Scrape an ‘x’ about a foot across in the dirt. Dig the
‘x’ about 3 inches deep. In the middle of the cross, stuff as much tinder as
possible. Above that, build tepee of kindling. Light the tinder. The ditch lets
air move beneath the tinder, bringing oxygen to feed the flames.
Pyramid:Put two small logs, sticks, or branches parallel to each
other in the dirt and a layer of small logs across them. Add three or four more
layers of logs or branches, making each layer smaller than the one beneath and
placed at right angles to each other. On top of the pyramid, build a fire with
tinder and kindling. The fire will burn downward, allowing you a fire that won’t
require attention for an extended period.