So, I'm sure you've noticed that the weather has began to become more dreary and lower in temperature; and the nights have begun to draw in faster; which also means, there is an even higher want for a fire to keep yourself warm, for cooking food and for lighting your camp site.
So, what exactly is needed for a fire? well, I'm sure you've probably heard of the fire triangle, which tells you what is needed for a fire to occur. with out on of these properties, a fire won't exist.
For example, if you have oxygen and fuel but no heat source or ignition, then a fire can not exist.
Well, we already know that oxygen is in abundance here on earth, so that's not too much of a problem to get hold of some. your biggest problem while outing camping, is finding a fuel supply and a ignition source.
Over the next few posts I will probably go into further detail with what can be used as an ignition source, but for now, I'll stick to the fuel situation. fuel can come in any form such as wood, petrol, cool, and so on; but your main concern is it must come from a reliable and yet safe source and also be in abundance if you wish to have a long, lasting fire. often wood, is the answer to this, as normally when you go camping, there is often a woodland near by. coal is also a good answer to this too, especially if you plan on doing a lot of cooking, but unfortunately with this idea, you would probably need to buy it and also transport it out to the campsite of your choice. There are other forms of fuel, but I won't be going into these with great detail, as it is very rare that these would ever be used for fires in a scout setting. What I will say though is this; please be aware that playing with highly flammable fuels can be very dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death. fuels such as these include mentholated spirits, hemp, and any other forms of highly flammable solids, liquids and gas fuels. One other little side note; ALL FIRES CAN BE DANGEROUS so please take note and be safe.
In my next post, I'll write about using ignition techniques for starting fires, but for now, I'll stick to how to build up your fire from the ignition stage.
As well as needing your main fuel, you'll also need tinder and kindling. Tinder can be any type of light, fibrous material which catches light easily. this can be anything ranging from dry straw, leaves, mosses, grasses, wood shavings, and threads of lint of cotton wool. To help with the ignition of these materials, it always helps to grind them up using two stones so it makes it easier and quicker. Also it helps if all your fuels are dry through all three stages. to start your fire you will need to have a small pile of tinder about 2 fists high, as this give you time to add more to the fire and also means your fire won't die immediately.
The next thing to add to your fire is kindling, which can be pencil thin dry sticks (dead ones, not living), pine cones, and bark. once these have been added and the flame of your fire is larger, you can then add your main fuel. This can be anything I mentioned above, but please take care while using fire and fuel. In emergencies, another excellent form of fuel is dried animal dung, but try to only use it in emergencies as the stuff as a far more pungent odour when lit on fire than usual. Also one last little tip; As I mentioned above your fire does need oxygen so remember not to pile your fuels to heavily and densely, but rather try spreading them to allow oxygen to which as much fuel as possible so it will catch light easier.
Well that's enough from me for now. I will be writing another one of these up as soon as possible on what types of ignition you can use to start your fire, but for now this is me signing out. Hope you enjoyed this post and blog so far, and I hope you'll continue to read my posts further in to the future :)
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