Lighting a fire

Use a fire lighter to start the fire if you don’t want to waste time

Firstly, collect enough firewood. Green (fresh) wood is no good nor is damp wood that has lain on the ground too long.

To make your fire, get kindling; shavings, splinters, or any other material that will catch fire easily.

Above this kindling, place twigs in pyramid fashion. Then add a few slightly thicker sticks to make the fire. Have a wood pile ready before you light your fire.

TIP

A good kind of kindling can easily be made by splitting a stick into several slices or shavings as shown. This is called a fuzz stick. If stood up, with the shavings pointing to the ground, it quickly catches fire and flares up

Make a graded wood pile of twigs, sticks and logs, before lighting your fire.

FIRE SAFETY Practice a fire drill. Know what to do . . . “Stop, drop, roll” if someone is on fire. Have a bucket of water handy.