Fire is used for warmth, light, drying clothes, signaling, making tools, cooking, and water purification. When using fire for warmth, the body uses fewer calories for heat and consequently requires less food. Having a fire to sit by can also be used as a morale booster. Also, smoke from a fire can be used to discourage insects.
Fire serves many needs such as providing a source of heat to warm the body, dry clothing, purifying water, preparing food, and signaling
Fire is life out there! Fire effects your survivability in many ways:
- Self-aid
- Shelter
- Water
- Fire/heat
- Signaling
- Food
- Psychological comfort and morale booster
Considerations
Avoid building a very large fire. Small fires require less fuel, are easier to control, and their heat can be concentrated. Never leave a fire unattended unless it is banked or contained. Banking a fire is done by scraping cold ashes and dry earth onto the fire, leaving enough air coming through the dirt at the top to keep the fuel smoldering. This will keep the fire safe and allow it to be rekindled from the saved coals.
Elements of Fire
The three essential elements for successful fire building are fuel, heat, and oxygen. These combined elements are referred to as the “fire triangle.” By limiting fuel, only a small fire is produced. If the fire is not fed properly, there can be too much or too little fire. Fresh cut, or green fuel is difficult to ignite, and the fire must be burning well before it is used for fuel. Heat and oxygen must be accessible to ignite any fuel.
Preparing for Firecraft
You must take time and prepare well. Preparing all of the stages of fuel and all of the parts of the fire starting apparatus is the key. To be successful at firecraft, preparation, practice, and patience are required by the fire builder.
Three Categories of Fuels Used for FirecraftThe fuels used in building a fire normally fall into three categories relating to their size and flash point: tinder, kindling, and fuel.
