Outdoor Living
Duane Radford | Article and Photos
A Campfire : How It ’ s Made
A campfire is probably the most important thing seniors should know how to make as part of their “ outdoor living ” journeys . A fire provides not only comfort and heat , but is also key to cooking meals and warding off unwanted wildlife . It ’ s also useful to dry out clothes and as a signalling device .
Job one before actually starting a campfire is to pick a safe spot if a firepit isn ’ t available . In established public campgrounds , this isn ’ t an issue because all manner of fire places are generally present at campsites in local , national , and provincial parks . If you ’ re in the backcountry , be careful to choose a location that ’ s away from trees but close to a source of firewood . Place large rocks in the shape of a circle or rectangle to craft a guard around a central firepit . It usually isn ’ t necessary to scrape any vegetation during the construction phase if you avoid locations with high grass or near other combustible material .
It ’ s best to construct a firepit using rocks or a couple of logs set side by side a distance apart . If the ground is dry , scrape the forest litter to the side so you don ’ t accidentally start a forest fire . During the winter , scrape snow off the ground so it won ’ t put out a fire when it melts . If the snow is deep , you can remove as much of it as possible and then create a bedding of branches on which to start a fire . Do not build a fire under a tree . It should always be in the open .
16 | arta . net MAKING IT