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DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRES - Part 2

A "caterpillar fire" is good for a campfire, because it needs little or no attention. However, you should build this kind of fire only when the wind direction is steady and there is no danger of rain. Build the wood pile as pictured below, beginning the pile in the direction of the wind. The supports underneath and at the sides should be green branches. The thickest support must always be under the middle of a log, and the thinnest under both logs. If there is a little wind, make the pile shorter by pushing the pieces further over each other.

In order to keep a fire overnight or for a longer period, cover it with a pile of ashes. This way it keeps glowing, and even after many hours you can rekindle it by blowing on it.

But only in the rarest cases should you ever leave a fire or glowing embers unwatched. On an empty sandy beach you might leave it untended for a short time, but always keep in mind that a strong rising wind can carry sparks from glowing coals. At best, you might escape with a few holes burned in your tent; at worst, you could start a forest fire.

For a fire that will dry wet clothing, you need a strong glowing mass of coals. Around it build a pyramid of sturdy, green, branchy tree limbs and hang your wet clothes on this. Turn the garments every few minutes. And stay there as long as there is still wood in the glowing mass. Glowing embers will spring into open flames in a rising wind.

Related terms include summer camp activities and camping cooking.