Campfire

A campfire is a controlled fire built at a campsite for specific purposes. It serves as a source of light, warmth, and heat for cooking food. Beyond these uses, a campfire can act as a beacon to signal a location. It may also function as a deterrent against insects and predators. In some summer camp settings, the term "campfire" refers to a social event or ceremony held around a fire.

Building a successful fire requires three distinct categories of fuel. The first is tinder, which consists of materials thin enough to ignite with a single spark. Natural examples include birch bark, cedar bark, cotton, or dry grass. The second stage is kindling, which acts as a bridge between tinder and heavy logs. Kindling includes sticks ranging from the thickness of a finger to the width of a wrist. The final stage is fuel wood, which consists of larger logs. These logs can burn for several hours and are often difficult to gather without tools.

There are several specialized construction styles used to manage these fuels. The tipi (or teepee) style involves piling tinder in a heap and arranging kindling around it like tent poles. This design is excellent for heat because gases rise quickly to the top. However, the logs can become unstable and fall over as they burn. The log cabin style is more stable and ideal for cooking. It is built by stacking kindling in a square pattern, similar to a small house. While it is less efficient at using convection, it provides a steady surface for cookware.

A hybrid fire combines the benefits of both previous methods. Builders first erect a small tipi and then construct a log cabin structure around it. This allows the fire to ignite easily while remaining stable for a long duration.

Other specialized designs include the lean-to, which uses a large stick as a windbreak, and the cross-fire. A cross-fire involves layering wood in alternating directions to create coals suitable for cooking. There is also the Swedish torch, or *Schwedenfackel*, which uses a single partially cut log set upright to burn like a candle.

In different parts of the world, unique traditions exist for large-scale fires. The Finnish *rakovalkea*, also known as a long log fire, uses two thick logs placed parallel to each other. These are held in place by four sturdy posts driven into the ground. This design burns slowly and steadily, providing enough warmth to heat two lean-to shelters for a full night. Because the logs protect the flames, smoke is less likely to bother sleepers. This method can also be scaled up to serve as a large beacon for ships at sea.

Humanity's connection to fire is incredibly ancient. Analysis of burned antelope bones in South Africa suggests that *Australopithecus robustus* or *Homo erectus* built campfires roughly 1.6 million years ago. Evidence found in Wonderwerk Cave near the Kalahari Desert is considered some of the oldest known controlled fire. Microscopic analysis of plant ash and charred bone suggests these early fires burned grasses, brush, and leaves. Some data indicates humans may have been cooking prey using campfires as far back as 1.9 million years ago.

Safety is the most critical aspect of managing any campfire to prevent wildfires. Campfires should ideally be built within a stone or steel fire ring. If a ring is unavailable, builders should use bare rock or ground cleared of all flammable debris. It is vital to clear a ten-foot diameter circle around the fire site. Builders must avoid steep slopes, hanging branches, and windy conditions. When extinguishing a fire, use plenty of water and dirt, then stir the mixture to ensure no embers remain. Never bury hot coals, as they can cause root fires or wildfires underground.