Peanut Butter and Jelly, Bread and Butter, Camping and Campfires. They just seem to go together. Your campfire will provide you with hot food, warmth and atmosphere. It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy songs, family, the stars or just getting away from it all.

With practice, you can become a perfect (and SAFE) firemaker every time.

If your campsite already contains a fire ring or fire place, use this for your campfire. If you must create your own area for a fire, choose an area with gravel, dirt or sand. Rake away all brush, and be sure you are not near vegetation that may become ruined by extreme heat or flames. Also be aware of any natural objects such as boulders that may show the signs of fire after you leave your site. Remember, "Leave no Trace" when camping.

Always keep a bucket of water and a camp shovel near your campfire. If your fire begins to spread, you can douse it with water or cover it with dirt.

Gather soil for your fire area and pack it in a rectangle approximately two feet square and three inches thick. Your fire will be built on this dirt. Never build a fire near your tent.

Gather tinder for your fire. Tinder is anything that will catch fire quickly, such as pine needles, bits of wood or other dry, small items. Next, gather kindling. Kindling consists of dead sticks that are smaller than the thickness of your pinky. Finally, look for larger pieces of wood, which will fuel your fire. Wood for fuel can often be purchased in campsite stores, but can also be found around your site if allowed.

There are many styles for building a fire. One well known type is based on the shape of a tepee. Place a nice amount of tinder in the middle of your fire circle. Cover this with your kindling. Finally, build a tepee structure around your tinder with your wood fuel. Leave a small opening on the side the wind is blowing, which will help your fire to start. Place a match or two inside the tinder to start it. If you brought any form of fire starter with you, have that inside with the tinder and light that. 

You can build your campfire with wood and use a heated stone for cooking!

Slowly pour water on the fire. Stir it with a stick, then pour more water on the embers. Continue to pour and stir until the fire is out. You should then use your camp shovel to cover this area with dirt. In keeping with Leave No Trace, cover your fire area with rocks and ground cover to leave it as you first found it. BE SURE YOUR FIRE IS COMPLETELY OUT BEFORE PLACING ANYTHING ON THE SPOT OR BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR CAMPSITE. Embers must be cold to the touch.

Why is it that every time you sit at the campfire, the smoke gets in your eyes? Find out here!

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