Background information – Types of fire Here you can find different types of fire with their (dis)advantages and specific characteristics “pyramidfire” or “teepee-fire” This type of fire is best for starting a fire. Almost each of the types of fire is best started by a pyramidfire. Lots of oxygen can enter this fire and the most fuel is concentrated in the top where the flames go to. Place the tinder on the bottom. Then gather small dry branches and place them in the shape of a tepee over the tinder. You can use some rope to tighten it at the top. Make a small opening for lighting the tinder. If the fire is burning you can start to build another type of fire around all you already had…
“starfire” This is a perfect fire when you have big logs but no chance of make them smaller. Further if you haven’t that much big wood this fire can help. Last advantage is that this is the only type of fire with you can regulate by pulling the logs out (make the fire smaller) or push them more to the middle (make the fire higher). Start this fire with a pyramidfire and place the big logs around till the start to burn themselves. To cook, just place the pot in the middle.
“A-fire” This is the fastest fire if there is some wind. The A-shape of the big logs function as a tunnel under which the wind can blow into the centre of the fire, see the arrow. The three big logs are not meant to burn but eventually will if you place them to near to each other. Therefore, use for the logs hard wood (e.g. oak, beech, etc.) “pagod-fire” The best fire for a campfire. Because the open structure oxygen can easily come into the fire and make it big and spectacular. Best is to build in the middle a pyramidfire with big logs around. If the big logs are not very secure (start rolling) you can chop little holes on top of the logs where the next layer will lay in. You also can experiment with other shapes than square (e.g. 6 corners of 8).
“lumberjack-fire” This fire is built between two huge logs from hard wood (e.g. oak, beech, etc.). You place them parallel to the wind so the wind will blow through the “tunnel”. At the side where the wind will leave this tunnel you put the logs a little nearer to each other than the entrance side. In that way you can focus the wind more into the fire. Now build a fire between the logs. The logs will eventually start burning but the major fuel comes from the fire and the wood in the inside. You can easily place a pot on top of the logs.
MPSE Ireland Activity Handbook v5-0.doc
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