ABOUT CAMPFIRES

Campfires have been used since humans discovered how to start sparks. They seem not only to kindle warmth but also a good story told has to be one of life most unsung pleasures. There are several different types of campfires and precautions, that should be taken when building one.

People have long been known to use campfires to cook food or to roast marshmallows on long sticks or twigs. This is not only a fun option when cooking but may be the only one if a person is camping unintentionally in an emergency and dose not have a camp stove which is safer and quicker choice for cooking on back wood camping trips.

Most campfires are recognizable by the stone circle or fire ring that holds the firewood in place and keeps it contained. Some fires are built in a clearing in the woods while others are built in designated camping sites. Fires built without man made fuel use tinder such as bark or dry grass, kindling such as thin sticks and twigs and timber or larger cut logs.When constructing a campfire people may choose to structure it in a variety of ways, often mimicking a structure such as a tepee, wagon wheel or log cabin. Though there is no specific size of a campfire, the fire ring is usually no bigger than three feet across and the flames no higher than four feet. A fire that is bigger and taller than a person is usually called a bonfire.

The beach is a great place to have a campfire because there are usually no leaves or dry brush around that could be ignited by the flames. In this case the stars are usually more visible and it is always a fun place to watch the waves. Beware to not build the fire in a place where the changing tides will reach it and put it out before desired.

Leaves or dry brush around that could be ignited by the flames. In this case the stars are usually more visible and it is always a fun place to watch the waves. Beware to not build the fire in a place where the changing tides will reach it and put it out before desired

It is possible for a campfire to get out of control and catch flammable thing such as nearby brush or other things, either on the ground or in the trees. Embers that float into the air or spark up when a log pops can land in trees or on people's clothes and hair. Many places prohibit fires during certain times of the year when the ground and surrounding leaves or pine needles are dry and in many areas they are illegal all year round. Forest fires and personal injury are a major concern

Take care when building a campfire to choose a proper location away from any direct overhanging branches or other hazards. Never leave a fire unattended and take care to extinguish the fire properly by pouring water or sand on the flames and embers until the hissing sound stops. Do not let a campfire get too big or the flames too high. Do not make one in an area where there are fire warnings or where there are signs prohibiting the lighting of fires.