Build a Campfire

[Ron Fogelson]

To find dry fuel, look for dead standing timber and/or broken branches stuck in tree limbs.  Place the found material next to your check; if it feels cool, it may be to wet to burn efficiently.  To fuel a 1 hour fire, gather two large fistfuls of tinder such as cattail down or crushed pine needles or dry leaves - about 30 or so twigs, 20 pencil size sticks and 10 wrist thickpieces.  Form a tepee with 3 sticks about 6 inches tall of so and placesmaller sticks on the floor as a platform for the tinder.  Lean the smallest sticks on and around the tepee, leaving a doorway to face the wind.  Place the next size sticks on top; repeat twice working around the tepee with larger and larger sticks.  Pack the tepee with the tinder and light it.  Slowly add the 10 largest sticks in a star  pattern.  If it is raining, you can use a cotton ball smeared with Vaseline or chapstick as a foolproof starter.

[catfish83861]

Hey Fogy, I presume those are your ribbons. Thanks for your service. catfish  USN Ret.

[Kreecher]

That's pretty cool.  I feel more confident about using bigger pieces of wood eventually.  I didn't know the process and was afraid of accidentally getting rid of the fire by putting it out with bigger wood.

[Bassinkorea]

Great survival tip Fogy, thanks for sharing   

[spetro]

While watching survivorman he had some corn chips (fritos) in his pocket.  He lite the frito and it burned like a candle because of all the oil in it.  I tried this last night at the moose lodge and it worked

[Nutt]

You can also use the Peanut Butter that comes in an MRE.  The oil in it will catch fire.

[Ron Fogelson]

Hey Fogy, I presume those are your ribbons. Thanks for your service. catfish  USN Ret.

Roger that Sir! 

Thanks for your service as well, we follow the foot steps of those that went before us with honor!   

[bman3725]

chapstick? i knew of the rest but not chapstick. Are you overseas now? Either way we thank you for your service soldier.

[spetro]

Thanks for your service as well, we follow the foot steps of those that went before us with honor!   

Well said SOLDIER