How to build the perfect fire
Step 1
• Gather some dry pencil-sized twigs.
• Find a downed tree and, using your camp saw, cut some branches no thicker or longer than your arm.
• Collect strips of birchbark, dry pine needles or a piece of dried lichen for a fire starter. (Or you can take along one of these homemade fire starters: a cotton ball covered in Vaseline; pieces of wax crayon; dryer lint dipped in paraffin wax; a squirt of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.)
Step 2
• Arrange the twigs in a criss-cross pattern over the fire starter.
• Put the larger pieces of wood on top but make sure there’s enough space for the fire to breathe.
• Place a few more twigs on top.
Step 3
• Light the fire starter. Once the fire is going, build a second pile of wood around and even on top of the fire to constantly dry out your fuel source.
