Five Different Types of Fires

Five Different Types of Fires

Council Fire

Also known as the log cabin fire, this fire is useful for a regular campfire circle. The two base logs should be about three feet long, with a diameter of from six to ten inches. When the fire circle has been cleared, the two base logs are laid on it about two and a half feet apart. The next pair of logs should be a little shorter and thinner. Smaller logs are then laid crisscross until three or four tiers complete the frame.

Build a tepee of tinder and kindling in between the first two base logs on the ground. Arrange heavier, dry sticks of varying thickness in tepee form around it, ready to flare up and set the heavier logs on fire when the fire is going good. Carefully feed sticks, small pieces of wood, and small, dry logs into the fire through the top of the framework as more fuel is needed.

Crisscross Fire

This fire, which can be built to almost any size, is a fine cook fire. It looks like a council or log cabin fire foundation. The crisscross fire is a series of tiers of thick sticks and small logs, set side by side. It blazes quickly into a bed of red embers and coals which are excellent for roasting and broiling.

Hunter-Trapper Fire

This fire is usually made by placing two logs, each three feet long and five to eight inches in diameter, about eight to ten inches apart so that the wind circulates between them. The fire is built between the two logs. A stick about three inches thick can be placed under one log about six inches from the end so more air reaches the fire.

Reflector Fire

The best baking fire is the reflector fire, which also provides quite a bit of heat on cold nights and provides protection for the fire against any prevailing wind. Logs four to five feet long are sunk into the ground at an angle. Two short brace logs are set evenly and a bit forward of the large posts. Between these are stacked four-foot long logs that are from six to eight inches in diameter. The fire is laid in front of the reflector. Bread can be baked in a reflector tin if it is placed on the other side of the fire from the log reflector.

Pit Fire

This type of cooking fire is used on windy days. Dig a pit and line it with stones. The fire is laid at the bottom of a pit and will stay lit even if there is wind at ground level.


Happy Camping,
--Henry Juarez