How to light a fire

Lighting a fire is a skill

and campfires are all about getting it going and hot with minimum paper and kindling.

Firestarters are for townies. As kids we used to have races to light a fire, boil the water and make a cup ‘o’ tea – it can be done in five minutes!

Set your fire before lighting. Your base paper is scrunched up loosely – this is the one you light and it will transfer the flame.

Above that is a little tight layer of paper, maybe even pieces of a cardboard box, then some really small dry kindling, then a couple of bigger pieces (all crossed over to leave lots of air spaces), some small dry firewood and then some medium firewood, all forming an open sort of tepee shape.

Don’t put large, heavy pieces of wood on that will squash everything down. Have some good dry pieces ready to add as soon as these pieces are alight. You do not want a big fire. Small is nicer to sit around and easier to cook on. Have a pile of firewood nearby (upwind) so you can add as required. Flames go upwards, so light from the bottom. Don’t add heavy wads of newspaper to a small or struggling fire or the ash will smother it.

After cooking is finished, if you have some big logs you can let them burn slowly away to embers.

Once finished, never cover the hot ashes with dirt or sand as this will keep them smouldering longer and hides them from passersby who may accidentally stand on them. Use a bucket of water to thoroughly drench the ashes, even they look burnt out.

A couple of days later, scoop the cold ash into a bucket and add it to your veggie garden – it makes great fertiliser.