Fire - Warmth, Safety and Light

The Bushcraft Radio Podcast, Survival, Outdoors, Wilderness & EDC, Audio episodes from 23spots

Fire.

Warmth, safety and light.

A short introduction to fire. (podcast)

In this introduction to the fundamental use of fire is intended for the beginner however if you are an experienced bushcrafter then this episode will serve as a reminder of things you may be taking for granted.

I will talk about:

The Law and safety, where you can and can not start a fire, why you need a fire, how to prepare the fire and most importantly how you can extinquish your fire when you are done.

It is generally forbidden to make a fire anywhere in the forest, however in an open area it is allowed to make a fire as long as you maintain a distance of 100 meters from the forest tree line.

In the forest itself the exception to the rule applies to people such as the forestry commission, hunting protection bodies, forestry workers and the owner or the Forestry commission and of course anyone who has written permission from either the owner or the forestry service.

People who for recreational purposes and thus within the scope of the general right of use, may light a fire if HE or She has written permission from the forest owner.

If the woodland or forest is state owned the respective forestry office is responsible.

A strict fire ban exists in areas that are specially protected. These include National parks, nature and plant protected areas reserves and protected woodland, a violation of these rules can lead to large fines, so take care where you decide to make your camp and fire.

Safety.

After a long period of dry weather the risk of forest fire increases, the current state of wild fire danger can be found by checking the metrological office website of the country you are in .

Levels 1 to 3 indicate that fires are allowed

Levels 4 to 5 indicate that any kind of fire is strictly forbidden and this applies to all types of fire, gas stoves, fuel stoves and bushboxes alike.

Abroad, the laws may differ but they are usually similar so you should familiarize yourself with the local laws of the country you intend to visit before planning your trip.

Where can I make a fire?

There are many possibilities where it is permitted to make a fire, for example at the many trekking camp sites along dsesignated walking routes, here you will often find a BBQ prepared fire place and in many cases it will have a grill ready to be used.

Once again internet research will help you find these places.

Finding a suitable place for your fire.

There should be distance to other combustible materials such as dry grass or fern areas as well as bushes and woodpiles, the fire place should be protected from the wind to prevent sparks being carried further into the forest.

Avoid choosing a site on bog, peat or coniferous soils which can be damaged by downward radiated heat and cause a smoldering fire, in addition this care must be taken of gases on moorland and remember in general there is always a risk of fire in the woodland.

Take particular care of the so called root fire.

This where the roots of a tree are underneath your fireplace and burn unnoticed often this type of fire will surface days later and several meters away from the fire place.

What do you need to start a fire?

For a fire to burn it needs three things, fuel, oxygen and heat.

These things need to be present in just the right amounts or the fire will not burn, this is known as the fire triangle.

Fuel.

We divide our fuel into three types:

Tinder, very fine dry material with a large surface area that can be ignited by a spark.

Kindling, thin but solid fuel to which the flame of the tinder can be transferred.

Fuel, finger thick wood that can be added to the burning kindling.

Tinder – where do I find it.

Cotton is good as a tinder and this can be found in places like the lining of your jacket, in a survival or medical kit. Of