The main types of fires and how to make them - photo and video

Not everyone has the experience of making a fire, but sometimes there comes a point in life when it is necessary. Perhaps you have only recently begun to get involved in hiking, but there is nothing to do without a campfire. Why do you need to kindle a fire despite the weather conditions, and all your life experience in this matter is setting fire to dry grass in childhood.

Well, okay, it doesn’t matter, we will try to tell you how to do it and you will be able to make a fire yourself, despite the conditions surrounding you. So let's get started.

 Where does a fire start?

That's right, with the search for a suitable place for this. The place should be as flat as possible, preferably protected from strong winds. It is necessary to remove a layer of turf, this is mainly done for fire safety reasons. It should also be remembered that it is impossible to kindle a fire near growing trees - it must be located at least 5 meters from the nearest tree. Well, digging a fire in a circle also does not interfere, this will additionally protect against the spread of fire.

Next - you need to provide yourself with firewood. It is better to immediately prepare the required amount of firewood so that later you do not bother yourself with this occupation, or, let's say, so that later you do not have to look for firewood at night, in the dark. To light a fire, we need the so-called starting firewood - small chips, dry branches, birch bark, thinly chopped firewood.

All this kindling material can be folded into a hut and then set on fire. To make it easier for yourself, you can use various types of ignition products - dry or liquid fuel, which can be bought at the store. After the fire has started to flare up, start laying larger firewood.

In this article, we will not describe how you can make a fire without matches, we will only mention that fire can be made in various ways, for example, with the help of a flint, using a lens, etc. The best way to make a fire is still matches and a lighter, therefore, when going to the forest, be sure to stock up on them, and for how to make a fire without matches, see here .

What are bonfires? Bonfire types

Beginners usually have no questions about what type of fire to choose, he just makes a fire and that's it. The main thing is that it burns, and so it will do. In fact, being able to make different types of fires is quite an important point, since they have different purposes - some type is good for cooking, some for heating or drying clothes. Let's look at all types of fires separately.

The first type - "Hut"

The most common type of fire. Usually it is used by novice tourists. It is done simply - firewood is stacked in the form of a hut, similar to an Indian wigwam. Increasingly thicker logs are placed obliquely, and from the side of the wind they leave a hole between them, which forms, as it were, an entrance to a hut.

Such a fire burns very hot and bright, perfect for lighting the camp at night. You can also cook food on it and it is good for drying clothes, minus such a fire that it is very voracious and requires a lot of firewood.

The second type - "Well"

Also a fairly common type of fire. Firewood is stacked in the form of a log house, it turns out something like a well. The most suitable campfire for cooking. It features a low, wide, uniform and hot flame. Suitable for drying clothes.

A more economical option than a “hut”, firewood burns more slowly and a lot of coal is formed during the combustion process, which gives a high temperature.

The third type - "Asterisk"

It is also called stellar. They called it that because the firewood is laid out in the form of a star. Usually these are logs that are folded ends together, as the firewood burns, they are moved closer to the center. It also applies to economical types of fires, because it burns out slowly.

Such a fire can be maintained for a long time, only occasionally laying branches. Gives a lot of heat and coals. The use of this fire is cooking and you can camp around it for the night.

The fourth type - "Nodya"

Undoubtedly, this is the best fire in terms of long-term action, it is very economical, burns evenly, gives a lot of heat - even suitable for a winter night. How to kindle such a fire? You take two large dead logs (the larger and thicker the logs, the longer the fire will burn), lay them horizontally one on top of the other, drive in stakes on the sides, fix the logs so that the upper log does not roll off the lower one.

The logs should be divided among themselves by wedges, you can use stones, make it so that you get a gap of about 10 cm, put kindling in this gap - small branches, birch bark, dry leaves and set it on fire. This fire can burn all night, it practically does not require duty, lining firewood, it is simply indispensable for a rooming house.

The main feature of a “nodya” type fire is that it can be used for spending the night even in winter under the open sky and in the most severe frosts. Undoubtedly, this is the best winter fire.

The fifth type of fire - "Taiga"

Another type of long-acting bonfire, does not require frequent lining of firewood, is similar in principle to “nodya”. Purpose - overnight, drying clothes and cooking. It is easy to make - the log is used as a canopy, several thinner logs are placed with their ends on it, on the leeward side opposite the canopy.

As the logs burn, they move closer to the main log. This method is called “on the log”. There are many varieties of taiga fire, everyone chooses for himself which one is more convenient for him. For example, “crosswise” - 2-3 logs are placed on a pile of coals, and the same number on top crosswise.

Sixth type - “Pyramid”

A very interesting type of fire. Two logs are laid parallel to each other, more logs are stacked across them. Smaller logs are placed on top, and so on, until very small logs are placed on top, on which kindling is placed and a fire is kindled.

Such a fire can be used for spending the night, it will burn for quite a long time.

The seventh type is the “Polynesian” fire

For him, you need to dig a hole and overlay the walls with stones. A fire is built at the bottom of this pit. Logs and logs are stacked vertically in a pit, such a fire can be made in rainy and inclement weather. The fire is not gluttonous and burns for a long time.

It is also called invisible because it is almost invisible. So that the firewood in the fire does not smoke, it is necessary to dig another hole nearby with a narrow channel to the fire for air access.

Eighth type - "Trench"

This fire is mainly used for cooking. A trench is dug with dimensions of half a meter by a meter and a depth of up to 30 cm, the bottom is laid out with stones and a fire is made right on these stones. This fire is needed for the formation of coals, it turns out something like an earthen brazier, over the coals you can place a skewer or skewers with meat and fish. From the coals, the stones heat up and you can also fry food on them.

There are also other types of bonfires, we have only talked about the main ones. I would like to mention the signal fire - it is the main means of signaling survivors to rescuers. It also needs to be able to breed, because your life may depend on it.

It is advisable to cook not one bonfire, but several at once, and use the most elevated places for breeding them - so there are more chances that you will be discovered. First, they make a fire like a “hut”, and then they put damp branches and grass into it, a column of white smoke will turn out.

We also recommend watching a video on how to light a fire.