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How to Make a Campfire
Making a campfire isn't as hard as it may seem. Most cabins
and cottages will have a firepit along the property for your
enjoyment. If there is no firepit then you will have to prepare
the site for your fire on a bare, flat surface.
A few things to keep in mind before starting your campfire:
Never leave the fire unattended, always leave a bucket of
dirt or water nearby in case of an emergency, and if you must
leave the campfire be sure to extinguish the fire (see instructions
below).
Step #1: Gather Firewood. Some vacation cabins and
cottages will have this already supplied for you. If not you
will have to do some collecting. Look in the woods for DRY
wood and leaves that are on the ground. You will want branches,
sticks, twigs, splinters, chips and leaves. Please do not
cut down tree limbs or stumps from standing trees, this isn't
allowed! Also don't pick up green wood, as it has too much
sap and won't burn efficiently.
Step #2: Start your Campfire. Begin by placing a small
amount of dry leaves and small twigs on the bottom of your
firepit. Then make a teepee shape around that with small branches
and sticks. Next surround the teepee with larger branches
and sticks, piled on top of each other to the height of the
teepee. Then place some more sticks across the teepee., laying
them on top of the other branches (to almost cover the teepee.)
and leave room for air to circulate under the branches. Add
some larger branched to the side of the others. Drop a match
onto the leaves and if they are dry they will catch fire.
Once the campfire starts to grow you should add some larger
branches on the top.
Step #3: Maintain your Campfire. Continue to add large
branches and dry pieces of wood to your fire as needed. Be
sure to keep your eye on the fire and keep it at a reasonable
size. If your fire looks like it could become unmanageable
extinguish it immediately.
Step #4: Extinguish your Campfire. You must extinguish
your campfire before leaving it. Let the fire slowly die down,
so be sure to stop adding wood once you know you will be leaving
it soon. Once the fire looks as though it has stopped throw
plenty of water over the wood and ashes. Be careful this may
expend a lot of smoke and heat so watch your eyes! Also, check
under the ashes to make sure there isn't any burning occurring.
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