Thanks for sitting around the fire with us! In our latest Campfire Conversations submission, where you can ask us anything about the outdoors, hiking, camping, traveling and more, Marie asked...
The Question: How do you build a fire for dummies? I'm an absolute beginner.
In our response, first you will hear from 52 Hike Challenge founder and seasoned camper Karla Amador on how to build a campfire safely and ethically. You will also discover her unique journey of using fire as a healing modality.
Then, you will also learn from 52 Hike Challenge content creator and nomadic camper Mandi Carozza on why a fire can make or break your experience outdoors. Hear how to recreate responsibly with fire so you don't put our forests at risk.
The Answer From Karla: Fire is a sacred art.
I have been ordained to be a fire keeper, a “sahumadora,” a native tradition of my ancestors. I was initiated in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico by my Mayan teacher, a woman I met on my travels whom I quickly bonded with. After seeing the ritual, I felt a strong urge to learn the art of “smudging” for purification myself.
I was taught how to start a small fire in my “copalera,” a clay bowl made for the sacred art of fire keeping for ceremonial purposes. Since then, I’ve successfully started many ceremonial fires with the items I’ve collected in nature and one campfire with my friend Marina (it took us about an hour to get it going!)
What I’ve learned so far is that getting a fire started and going is a bit of an art. One must learn how to have a relationship with the fire element. This is a skill I feel everyone should learn, with respect and reverence first.
As with anything, practicing will be the best way to ensure successful fires in the long run.
On a technical level, here are a few things I’ve learned:
- You start with a fire pit.
- Next collect your materials: tinder, kindling, logs.
- Add tinder in the center of your fire pit.
- Next add kindling, leaving some space for air to help fuel the fire.
- Ignite the kindling, add more tinder and blow gently on the base of the fire.
- When you have a nice small fire going, use larger logs to form a cabin or teepee (this will keep the fire going).
- Keep the fire small and under control.
Here is a great video tutorial by REI to help you get started.
The Answer From Mandi: Respect fire to preserve our forests.
As a solo traveler living out of a rooftop tent, building a fire is not only a treat, but it supports me to have a good night’s sleep on chilly nights in nature. I’ve even cooked over the fire, and of course, roasted s’mores. Sitting around the fire is a beautiful way to socialize while camping, and it can quite literally save your life in a survival situation.
At the same time, fire is a natural element that must be respected. It has the strength to keep you warm and ward off insects, but it also has the power to burn out of control and devastate forests. The latter is why it's important to recreate responsibly with fire.
Here are some tips to be a safe fire starter:
- Always use a designated fire ring.
- Listen to park rules and respect fire bans.
- Select fuel that is dry, dead and down.
- Do not transport firewood from one region to another.
When you're done sitting around the fire, be sure to properly extinguish it. Here's how:
- Put your fire dead-out by drowning it with ample water.
- Use a tool to separate coals and embers.
- Repeat until the ashes are cool to the touch.
For more advice on fire safety, visit RecreateResponsibly.org.
For additional tips and videos on building a campfire, check out this REI article.
Sit Around the Fire with Us
Have questions about hiking, thru-hiking, backpacking, camping, travel, mindfulness or life? We have answers. This is a place to ask team 52 (Karla and Mandi) anything hiking, outdoor, travel and lifestyle related. We will respond with trail tricks, life hacks and more via our newsletter column.