Match and Fire Permit: Safe Setup of Campfires
Page 1 of 6
Objective:
The objective of this workshop guide is for the Scout Leader and/or Scout youth to be able to describe
and demonstrate safe use of building and igniting Campfires.
What Kind of Fire Do You Want to Build?
Before you rush to build a fire, decide what type and size of fire is needed. There are six common types of
campfires that you need to think about:
COOKING CAMPFIRES
The hunter's fire is a cooking fire. The logs on top are spaced close enough
together such that a pot, pan, or Dutch oven can be placed on them. Try to lay it as
level as possible.
The Reflector fire is best for cooking or building a fire to reflect heat; baked
food is placed in front of the fire with the stacked reflecting wall behind the fire.
Very useful for overnight survival fires to keep people warm as the fire can be build
up against a vertical wall of rock or a wall of wooden tree trunks. If you sit (or sleep)
between the reflector and the fire, the side of you facing the fire will be warmed
directly, while the reflector throws heat to the opposite side.
ALL PURPOSE CAMPFIRES
The Star Fire. The advantage of this fire is that the logs can be of any length,
avoiding the need to cut them up. As the ends of the logs burn, they are pushed into
the fire. The fire is lit at the center of the star. If the logs are propped up on the
fire ring, gravity will feed them in as they burn.
The Star fire can be used for overnight survival with the logs spaced wide enough
for people to sit/sleep between the spars.
The teepee fire is probably the most recognized campfire. It is somewhat
difficult to setup as it requires balancing logs against one another. A good trick is
to stake wood into the ground to hold the Teepee fire logs. If staking is not done,
the log pile may topple, upset the kindling and the tinder and the fire will have to be
rebuilt. Lashing the top of the fire with twine is another option to consider. Once
laid, the teepee fire is very easy to light, as convection will take the flames right to
the fuel.
This kind of fire lay is used to produce a quick fire for distress signal fires or for
boiling as the fire is focused at the top of the Teepee.
The log cabin Campfire is easy to set and it is stable. It is laid very much like a
log cabin should not be a hollow square tower but a multi story building or pyramid
with floors. When it burns, it falls in on itself, confining itself to the Campfire ring.
It is also easy to add more fuel and maintain a neat orderly Campfire
This kind of fire yields an excellent bed of coals for slow cooking, roasting, foil
cooking or baking. A good tip is to lay a Teepee fire within the log cabin.
The council fire is still used by Native Americans during their meetings (or
councils). It is very much like the log cabin fire except that more than two logs are
laid on each layer. Be careful not to lay the logs too close to one another. Leave gaps
of at least one inch between each log to allow air to circulate. Like the log cabin fire,
the council fire is very stable, and it falls into itself as it burns, remaining within the
fire ring.
The council fire is not usually used for cooking – but rather for ceremonies.
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
004: March 13th 2010
Page 2 of 6
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Setup of Campfires
What’s in a Campfire?
Fire needs 3 elements to survive: Fuel, Air, and Heat. This is known as the “Combustion Triangle”. Deprive
a fire of any one of the elements and it dies. Water does two things; it deprives a fire of oxygen and it cools the
temperature to below the combustion point of the fuel being used. For a fire you need the following kinds of Fuel
Fuel
Tinder
Tinder may be made of many different types of material, including, dried grass, dry pine needles, wood
shavings, birch bark, dryer lint, paper, etc. The key to tinder is that it should be dry, thin, and light. Tinder is
laid first, and then it is surrounded with kindling.
Kindling
Kindling is small sized sticks around a quarter to half inch in diameter. You will need a fair amount of kindling
when starting a fire. Kindling can be arranged it in a tee-pee or log cabin style. As you build up the kindling
pile, add larger and larger pieces, but do not add anything larger than 1.5 inches as this sized wood takes more
heat to burn. Stacking the kindling is the most important aspect of building a successful fire. If it is stacked
tightly, the tinder will not ignite as there will be insufficient air flow.
Fuel
Fuel is the wooden logs that you will burn in the campfire. Logs should not be larger than six inches in
diameter as these often will take too long to burn or not be dry in the centre. You may find yourself up all
night tending to the campfire or dousing the Campfire before the wood has been consumed. It is far better
to burn all your wood completely.
Air
A campfire needs lots of air, and the way the wood is stacked can affect the airflow greatly. Do not pack the
wood tightly. Kindling should be stacked such that there are spaces between pieces. These gaps will allow the
flames of the fire to get in between and burn all the kindling, thus igniting the larger logs. When you add logs to
the fire, make sure theirs is adequate air flow otherwise, you will cut off the air supply and the camp fire will die
down without burning all the wood.
Heat
Heat is initially added to the fuel and air with a match, lighter, or other fire lighting device. The tinder is lit first,
and the heat from the flame is transferred to the kindling and then to the logs.
The secret to keeping a fire going after it is lit is to stack the logs from largest to smallest, bottom to top. Be
sure you have enough kindling to ignite the main logs and ensure sufficient air flow. As soon as the tinder in alight
and the main logs have caught fire, start adding more logs to the Campfire.
Campfire Safety
Before you build a fire, ask yourself the following
1. Do you have a fire permit?
2. Do you have a dedicated fire pit area?
3. A suitable first aid kit should be present
4. Do you want to do a “leave no trace” campfire?
5. What size of campfire is needed?
6. What kind of campfire is needed?
The above questions need to be answered prior any campfire construction as they all have an impact on the
legality, location, size and type of campfire that is required.
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
004: March 13th 2010
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Setup of Campfires
Page 3 of 6
General Safety procedures for making campfires
Campfire Environment
•
•
•
•
Prepare the campfire area ahead of time. This will include the clearing the area of old campfire ashes,
removing garbage, digging sand/soil and setting the appropriate perimeter for your audience.
Determine the entry / exit points for the campfire and any hazards that your audience may incur as they
enter/exit the campfire area
Check for trees and any other overhead hazards and make sure that any sparks that fly from the campfire
will not cause a secondary fire
Check the weather for the campfire – pay attention to wind – and the openness of campfire as wind may blow
ashes and sparks into your audience or into trees
Campfire Materials
•
•
•
Ensure that you have adequate fuel for the fire. This means sufficient Tinder, Kindling and wood logs for the
duration of the fire
All fuel for the fire (wood) should be prepared ahead of time in daylight. This will mean that all chopping
sawing of logs are done ahead of time.
Build the campfire ahead of time
Safety Environment
•
•
Ensure that there is sufficient extinguishing material for the fire that you intend to build.
o Sand/Shovel and/or buckets of water
Have a suitable 1st aid kit on hand in case of emergencies
Fire Starting Techniques
•
•
•
Practice any fire starting techniques ahead of time to ensure safety for organizers and audience
Exercise caution when using flammable fuels for campfire ignition
Ensure that there is space for campfire ignition by match
Authorized Personnel
•
Only personnel who are campfire setup and execution should be build campfires or supervise the building of
campfires
Organization
•
•
•
A campfire should have one campfire chief who organizes the campfire construction and looks after all the
preparatory work
A campfire should always be attended when it is alight
Only personnel who are experienced in campfire setup and execution should build campfires or supervise
others in building campfires
Extinguishing a Campfire
•
•
A campfire should never be left unattended until the ashes have been completely extinguished
o All glowing embers in the camp fire area have been doused with water or smothered with sand/dirt
o Spread the wood and coals as widely apart as possible in the fire pit area and sprinkle with water and stir
until the fire is out
o Make sure you cover all sides of all pieces of wood and cover underneath rocks around the edge and cool
the rocks. There should be no glowing coals, smoke or steam when you are done. If the coals are not
sufficiently out and the fire is left, then wind can get the fire up again after you’re gone
A campfire is considered extinguished when it is cold enough for you to put your hand into the coals!
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
004: March 13th 2010
Page 4 of 6
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Setup of Campfires
Ignition Methods
There are two common methods to starting a campfire.
Traditional Fire Starters
Traditional fire starters are matches and/or lighters. These items are essential tools for lighting a fire but have
many disadvantages. Moisture will destroy the match heads, a match is easily blown out and often it takes more
than one match to light a fire, which could be problematic on a long trip if you run out of matches. Lighters are
more reliable than matches but suffer from moisture and the flame is small and is easily blown out.
Magnesium Campfire Fire Starters: This is a flint-and-steel fire starter tool. This kind of fire starter tool
has advantages over traditional fire starters in that they are small enough to fit in your pocket, unaffected by
wet conditions or high temperatures and they last a very long time.
Strike the flint on the magnesium to create white-hot metal shavings that will quickly ignite your fire starting
materials. Because these shavings are far hotter than a match, they can ignite tinder that is damp from rain or
dew. This will allow you to get a fire going in any conditions
Starting a fire with a Magnesium fire starter requires greater effort in terms of making sure that you have
plenty of tinder and kindling and that you need to be kneeling over the fire to ignite the tinder.
Fire Start in the Rain
Even after a rainstorm there is tinder and firewood that is dry. Knowing where to look and what to look for are
the keys to success.
Tinder. Look around your site for fir trees. The smaller lower branches that have died are a good first choice.
These smaller branches are usually dry and will break off in your fingers. Collect a good amount of these. Take a
little extra time to fray and shred these with your knife or fingers as this will help ignition. Check for dry grass
under trees as often the foliage on a tree will keep the ground dry. Look for birch trees as the bark is
impregnated with oil and will not absorb moisture. Bird nests (unoccupied of course) are also good sources of
tinder if you can find them.
Kindling. Look for trees known as “Dead Falls”. These are trees that have fallen and are now in various stages of
decay. Locate one that has been down for a while. Strip off the outer bark and cut chunks out of the rotting
trunk. This material will burn fast so you will need lots of this material. The larger branches can also be stripped
of bark and the wood below used.
Look for pine trees. Many of these trees have a sticky sap running down the bark. Collect this sap or pitch as it is
a natural accelerant for your fire. Dry pine back with sap is an excellent source of fuel.
Firewood is the main staple of any fire. The Dead Falls” are the best source of firewood. Using an axe and a saw
you can cut logs to suit your fire needs. If you don’t want to cut the wood into logs, just strip the bark and off
them and insert the end into the fire. As the log burns, just keep pushing it into the fire.
Before you start a fire make sure you have collected enough fuel to keep it burning for a length of time.
Whatever wood you collect, protect it from getting wet by piling the wood on top of each other or cover the wood
with pieces of bark, or store the wood under a tree and cover it with pine needles.
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
004: March 13th 2010
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Setup of Campfires
Page 5 of 6
PERMIT DEMONSTRATION
In the presence of your instructor, perform the following:
Questions to be answered
1.
State the different types of campfires
a.
b.
2.
State the three elements that are needed to ignite a campfire
a.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cooking Campfires: Hunter and Reflector Fire
All purpose campfires: Star, Log Cabin, Tee-Pee and Council
Fuel, Air, Heat
What legal requirement do you need to run a campfire?
Discuss the environmental requirements for a campfire
Discuss the safety measures for campfire ignition
Discuss the requirements to safely walk away from a campfire
Demonstration
1.
2.
3.
4.
Demonstrate that you can establish a safe campfire environment
a. Collection of campfire material
b. Campfire perimeter for your audience
c. Safe ignition method
d. Materials for extinguishing a fire
Build a campfire
Safely ignite a campfire
Extinguish a campfire
TIPS:
Consider the following items for helping safely ignite a campfire:
1. Flint ignition
a. Used in conjunction with
2. Dryer Lint
a.
This will ignite very easily in all kinds of conditions and generates a larger flame
3.
Tea-Light candle
4.
Small taper candle
5.
Fire Paste or small fire logs
6.
Spare paper which you can twist into a paper taper
7.
Carry extended length matches
a.
a.
a.
a.
8.
9.
The wick can be lit with the match – thus extending the length of time a flame can be lit
Similar to the Tea-Light candle and it allows you to reach into a campfire
Allows you to light a campfire or stove easily
You can light this and use it as a large match thus extending the burning time for ignition
a. These are thicker and longer and thus increase the ignition potential
Burning Arrow fire start
a. Wire enters the campfire where no audience is present
b. Small zip lock bag of naphtha buried in the centre of the campfire
c. Wood arrow has a nail at the front to piece the bag of naphtha
Toilet Roll soaked in naphtha buried in start of campfire
a. Fuel does not evaporate quickly allowing for longer
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
004: March 13th 2010
Page 6 of 6
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Setup of Campfires
THE TRIANGLE OF FIRE
The triangle illustrates the rule that in order to
fuel, and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen). The
one of them. A fire naturally occurs when the
Without sufficient heat, a fire cannot begin,
removed by dousing with water; the water
heated, taking the heat with it.
in the flame removes heat in the same
each other also reduces the heat.
ignite and burn, a fire requires three elements: heat,
fire is prevented or extinguished by removing any
elements are combined in the right mixture.
and it cannot be sustained. Heat can be
turns to steam and the steam is further
Introducing particles of powder or any gas
manner. Separating burning fuels from
Without fuel, a fire will stop. Fuel can be removed naturally as where the fire has consumed all the burnable fuel,
or manually, by mechanically or chemically removing the fuel from the fire. In scout terms, this could be through
removal or dispersion of wood from the campfire. Fuel separation is an important factor as heat is for generating
fire.
From a technical point of reference, when fuel is removed from fire, it ceases because fuel
removal lowers the concentration of fuel vapor in the flame. This in turn leads to a decrease in
energy release and subsequent reduction in heat. This points back to the first triangle of the fire
triangle in which, sufficient heat is required.
This links both heat and fuel. Without fuel, heat cannot be generated.
Without sufficient Oxygen, a fire cannot start and it cannot be sustained. A reduction in oxygen supply or oxygen
results in lower combustion velocity. You can see this through the simple example of blowing on a campfire.
When you blow air directly on the fire the intensity and fierceness of the flame initially increases and then
reduces when velocity is reduced.
So what happens when water or sand is poured on a fire? There is plenty of air in the atmosphere left when the
fire goes out so what is happening? The answer is
simple. Fire needs a balance of several gases, of
which Oxygen is just one. Typically, a fire
needs a balanced mix of Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide
and Nitrogen,
Therefore, starving a fire through
results in an imbalance in oxygen and
takes more energy to burn carbon
more energy is required to heat
So, once again, it is all about
the flame below the level
pouring water or sand on the fire
the other two gases and as a result it
dioxide and nitrogen. As a result,
the lower concentration of gases.
reducing the temperature in
where radicals can exist.
The circle of Fire
Heat, fuel and Oxygen = combustion = Fire
Reduction in fuel = reduction in heat = Fire will die out
Reduction Oxygen = reduction in heat = Fire will die out
Reduction in heat = Fire will die out
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
004: March 13th 2010
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Use of Matches
Page 1 of 3
Objective:
The objective of this workshop guide is for the Scout Leader and/or Scout youth to be able to describe
and demonstrate safe use of matches.
What’s in a match?
A match is a consumable tool for lighting a fire in a controlled manner. A match
is typically a wooden stick (usually sold in match boxes) or stiff paper stick
(usually sold in matchbooks). One end of the match (match head) is coated with
a material containing the element phosphorus which will ignite from the heat
generated through friction when the match head is rubbed ("struck") against a
suitable surface.
Three types of matches
Safety matches: This type of match is common and is designed to ignite only when struck only against a
specially prepared ‘striking-surface’ which can be found on the side of the match box or a strip on the rear of a
matchbook. Safety matches contain “Red Phosphorus” which reacts to the chemicals in the ‘striking-surface’
Strike-anywhere matches: This type of match is common and will ignite when struck against any solid surface.
Strike-anywhere matches contain a mixture of phosphorus sesquisulfide and potassium chlorate.
Storm matches: This less common match is a strike anywhere and commonly referred to as the
‘lifeboat match’ and is commonly found in survival kits. This match has a much larger match and
the stick is coated with a combustible compound which helps the match stay alight in strong wind.
Moisture and Matches
There is no such thing as a waterproof match. Matches need heat to ignite and any match contaminated with
moisture or struck against a surface that has water on it will typically fail to light.
For Safety matches,
moisture typically softens the ‘striking-surface’ and/or the match head reducing the heat from the friction of the
strike For Strike Anywhere matches moisture is not so critical due to the chemical compound in the match head,
however the surface that the match is struck against should not be soaking wet.
Water-Proof Matches
A waterproof match is simply a match which has been protected against
moisture. A waterproof match may have been soaked in a flammable material
and then coated with a thin coat of wax. Waterproof matches can be
purchased or they can be made by coating the matches in a waterproof material
such as nail polish, paraffin or a thin coat of wax. A zip lock bag is another
ideal method of protecting matches from moisture.
Care of Matches
Matches should be transported in waterproof containers wherever possible
contamination from moisture. This is particularly important when matches
backpacks for lengthy trips.
as this prevents
are carried in
Safety Precautions when using Matches
Matches are typically used for two purposes in scouting. Lighting a stove or lantern or igniting kindling for a fire.
Matches require a general set of safety guidelines as well as additional guidelines for Stove/Lantern and fire use.
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
006: April 11th 2010
Page 2 of 3
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Use of Matches
General Safety procedures for using matches
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Matches are a tool to be respected, and dangerous if not used properly.
Matches are to be used for lighting stoves/lanterns and camp fires only
Matches must be extinguished or burn out in a safe area (within stove or camp fire area)
Matches are not to be ignited and thrown
Matches should be extinguished before the flame burns down to the fingers
Ensure that your clothing is kept clear of the match in case your clothing is flammable
Ensure that there is water / baking soda nearby for extinguishing flames
o Baking soda / sand and shovel / water
Ensure that a suitable first aid kit is nearby
Only personnel who are trained in match use should be use matches or supervise the use of matches
Keep the matchbox / carry case away from the flames, snow and rainy conditions
Safety procedures for using matches with Lanterns and Stoves
Stoves and Lanterns require the use of flammable fuels so ensure a safe area as follows:
•
Ensure that personnel who are trained in stove and lantern use
•
Ensure that the stove or lantern has been fueled and pressured correctly
•
Ensure that the fuel cap on a stove or lantern is tight. An open fuel tank is highly dangerous.
•
Ensure that there is no spilt fuel where you will strike the match.
•
Ensure that there are no open fuel cans nearby
Safety procedures for using matches with Campfires
Campfires need kindling placed in or near the centre of a campfire, so ensure a safe ignition procedure as follows:
•
Inspect the campfire to ensure the following:
o Clear path to the kindling in the campfire (you do not have to reach into the campfire)
o Campfire is not soaked in flammable fuel or material which will cause a flare up
o DO NOT USE MATCHES IN AN EXPLOSIVE ENVIRONMENT
•
Ensure that you have enough time to ignite the fire and retreat before the flames start up
•
Use a suitable tool to help ignite a fire and maintain safety precautions
o Fire brick / fire paste / ignite a thin roll of paper (called paper taper)
•
Never reach into a campfire which has gone out and attempt to relight it with a match
o Use a taper instead
Holding and Igniting a Match
•
•
•
•
Hold the match between the thumb and third finger with the index finger on the matchstick below the match
head.
Ensure that the area where you will strike a match is protected against wind as this may extinguish the match
before it can ignite the item you with to burn
Get close to your work before striking your match as you do not want the
match to be extinguished before you get a chance place it near the item you
with to ignite?
Strike the match tip firmly, smoothly, and quickly
o Safety matches: Strike along the striker strip with the box closed
o Strike Anywhere matches: Strike across a dry smooth surface (TIP: Place a rock in the campfire
o
•
•
which you can strike the match)
Hold match vertically to enable the flame to consume the match body and keep the flame
burning
Upon ignition, shelter the flame by cupping your hands around the match as you move it to the item you wish
to ignite.
Make sure the match is out before you put it down
o cold matches can be put in the fire pit or the garbage
o A hot match can ignite spilt fuel or ignite dry grass
Authors:
Version:
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
006: April 11th 2010
Match and Fire Permit: Safe Use of Matches
Page 3 of 3
PERMIT DEMONSTRATION
In the presence of your instructor, perform the following:
Questions to be answered
1.
State the two types of matches commonly found in scouting
a.
b.
Safety matches
Strike anywhere matches
2.
Identify the difference between Safety Matches and Strike Anywhere Matches
a. Strike anywhere matches have red match heads
3.
What stops a match from igniting
a.
b.
c.
4.
Moisture
Too much waterproof coating (added nail polish or wax or paraffin)
Not enough friction
What steps can be used to avoid moisture in a match
a.
b.
Place matches in waterproof container (Zip lock bag / container)
Waterproof matches with wax/paraffin/nail polish
5.
State the common safety procedures for match use for Stove/ Lantern / Campfire / General Match use
6.
What are the key elements to keeping a match ignited
a. No moisture
b. Protect match from wind
c. Strike match near where the item is to be ignited
7.
What equipment should always be present when using matches?
a.
b.
Suitable first aid kit
Extinguishing material (Water, baking soda, sand etc…)
Demonstration
1.
2.
3.
Demonstrate that you can identify a safe environment when lighting a stove/lantern
Demonstrate that you can identify a safe environment when lighting a campfire
Demonstrate how to hold a match and ignite it and not burn your hand
TIPS:
Carry the following items:
1. Dryer Lint
a.
This will ignite very easily in all kinds of conditions and generates a larger flame
2.
Tea-Light candle
3.
Small taper candle
4.
Fire Paste or small fire logs
5.
Spare paper which you can twist into a paper taper
6.
Carry extended length matches
a.
a.
a.
a.
a.
Authors:
Version:
The wick can be lit with the match – thus extending the length of time a flame can be lit
Similar to the Tea-Light candle and it allows you to reach into a campfire
Allows you to light a campfire or stove easily
You can light this and use it as a large match thus extending the burning time for ignition
These are thicker and longer and thus increase the ignition potential
Paul Young-Davies, Chuck Fraser
006: April 11th 2010