How Do I Build A Campfire?

single condition is trueParagraph count: 9If there are more than 3 paragraphs, insert after the 3rd paragraph

In today’s video I’m answering the question, “How Do I Build A Campfire?” Don’t feel bad if you’re not exactly sure how to do it. You’d be surprised at how many avid outdoorsmen fail when trying to build a campfire. Why? It’s usually because they skip the second step  – kindling. You can easily crumple some newspaper and light it, but if you didn’t take your time with kindling you’ll never get that log to burn.

Videos by Outdoors with Bear Grylls

How To Build A Campfire In Three Easy Steps

1. Tinder

You need something highly flammable to start. The easiest is simply a ball of crumpled newspaper. In the video I use my favorite tinder – birch bark. Make a baseball-sized pile.

2. Kindling

This is the most important step because the fire has to grow in size before it is strong enough start burning your logs. Chop 5-6 pieces of wood that are a little bigger around than your thumb. Arrange them in a teepee over your kindling.

3. Fuel Logs

You can arrange your fuel logs (fancy way to say firewood) over the kindling before you start your fire or after. It doesn’t really matter. I like to do it before because it’s fun to use one match and watch your creation grow to full size with no further effort. Whichever way you decide, you simply arrange the firewood over the kindling in a teepee. The more you use, the more your fire inside will be protected from the wind. 5-6 logs arranged in a teepee will work great.