The very first step before building your campfire should always be to confirm that campfires are allowed in the current conditions. As much as this may be distressing, be assured that those in authority are much more knowledgeable about the area and any potential fire hazard.

To begin building a fire, gather the materials and organize them before ever striking the first match.

Stack your firewood upwind and about five feet from where you plan your fire.

Clear the area of excess pine needles, dried grasses or leaves and splash water around the area but not in the planned fire pit or on your building materials.

Create a good foundation by placing rocks in a circle lay a foundation of fine tinder, such as shavings from dried twigs or pine needles, It is best not to use leaves since they float into the air very easily. Perhaps the simplest and most effective approach is to use fire starter.

Above the tinder bed, place a few larger dry twigs about the size of a pencil in a criss-cross pattern. Have larger pieces of wood at hand. Lay your tinder beside a short length of stick (3 to six inches in diameter), lean the larger twigs over the tinder and against the large stick. Use caution because when the tinder catches, the twigs will flame up quickly. Add the larger piece of wood. This will allow you to add still larger pieces of wood you soon will have a good blaze.