Preparation of a fire site

If you are in a wooded or brush-covered area, you should clear the brush and scrape the surface soil in the spot you selected. You should clear a circle at least 0.5 metre in diameter so there is little chance of the fire spreading.

Fire wall

As mentioned above, if time allows, you can construct a fire wall using logs or rocks. A fire wall will help to reflector the heat to where you want it. It will also reduce flying sparks and cut down on the amount of wind blowing into the fire. However, keep in mind that you will need enough air to keep the fire burning (remember the fire triangle).

If you decide to use rocks, stay away from wet or porous ones. Such rocks when heated rapidly may explode.

Underground fire

In some situations, like very windy conditions with rain, you may find that an underground fireplace will be best for your needs. It conceals the fire and is very convenient for cooking food.

Yet, bear in mind that building such a fireplace which will sustain fire requires some practice. If you need a fireplace fast and have not tried this type before, it is better if you build one on ground first. Your second one can be this one. To make an underground fireplace you need to follow the steps:

• Dig a hole in the ground
• On the upwind side of this hole poke or dig a large connecting hole for ventilation. Be careful only not to dig it too shallow as that can cause the whole construction to collapse.
• Build your fire as illustrated.

If you are on the snow

If you are in a snow-covered area you usually cannot light a fire straight on the snow. If you can, you should dig a hole to the ground and light the fire there. Snow walls will additionally protect the fire from the wind. Yet, if the snow layer is too thick, you will have to create an artificial base for your fire. To do that you can use green logs which will make a dry base for your fire, just as presented in the picture. Trees with wrist-sized trunks can be easily broken in extreme cold. Cut or break several green logs and lay them side by side on top of the snow. You should create more than one layer. Lay each layer of logs in the opposite direction to the one below it.

If you set the fire on top of the logs, they will not burn as the heat of the fire goes up, leaving the wood below more or less unharmed.

Other options

Consider other options. Perhaps you can use items that you have with yourself. Maybe parts of the vehicle (airplane, car, etc.) that brought you where you are. These might be really handy. For example, instead of wood, you can use a metal plate as a base of your fire (e.g lid from your car's trunk). You could then move the whole fire around your camsite as if on a sleigh if you needed. Remember - IMPROVISE

To give you some hints on improvisation, here is an example of using an object as something completely different - building a barbecue (BBQ) of an oil drum

Possibilities are endless - its up to you to organise yourself as good as you can.