Respect the fire restrictions. They are in place for a reason! Only you can prevent forest fires.
If you are in a forest, look for a large clearing and build your fire near the center. This way, the flames won’t lick too close to the surrounding trees. If you’re expecting rain, you have two options: build the fire within a natural shelter, like a cave or an overhang; or tie up your own protective cover using a tarp or a tent fly.
Use large stones (as big as your hand) to build the bulk of the barrier, then use smaller stones and soil to fill the cracks. Try to choose dry stones. If you cannot dig, you should still try to build a protective perimeter. Clear any twigs and leaves at least two feet away from the edge of your fire circle.
In a pinch, you can put out a fire by quickly shoveling earth or sand over the top. [3] X Expert Source Britt EdelenOutdoor Educator Expert Interview. 7 February 2020. However, there is no substitute for water.
Set aside extra logs for later. They will form the primary fuel for the fire once you’ve gotten it going. If you want a fire just for the evening, use softwood—pines, firs, and other trees with needles—as it will burn faster. If you want your fire to burn through the night, use hardwood: trees with leaves, like oak and birch.
If you are burning hardwood, you want to use only fallen branches that are dead and very dry. If you are burning softwood, you can take the branches directly off the tree, needles and all.
Try fanning the flames to push airflow through the kindling. Fire catches best when there is a slight breeze, but not enough to blow it out.
Avoid pouring water directly onto a blazing fire. This will extinguish the flames quickly, but it will also throw up a large cloud of dust and steam. Be patient. When the fire is out, fill in the pit completely with dirt. If you are camping in the backcountry, consider scattering the stones, rearranging the leaves, and returning the space to the way it was when you found it.
