Tinder and Kindling Basics for Creating a Campfire

Campfire
Image: pexels.com

Thomas “Tom” Stefkovich is a Milford, Nebraska, entrepreneur who leads maintenance activities at Roth Aerial Spraying, Inc., with a focus on the proper functioning of aircraft. One of Thomas Stefkovich’s favorite activities away from work is camping and enjoying an off-the-grid existence for a few days.

A foundational camping skill is creating a roaring campfire that is the right size for your group and safe for the surrounding nature. The first ingredient needed to start a good fire is tinder, which in its simplest form can simply be dried bark from dead trees. Alternatively, you can purchase tinder kits, such as those made from pine resin, which are able to burn when wet. Combined with stormproof matches, they present a surefire way to get a spark and consistent flame going. 

The second element needed for starting a fire is kindling, which is combustible twigs, branches, and wood shaved from larger logs. The best strategy is to place kindling around the tinder at first, and then add large outer logs in the same pattern as the kindling catches fire. In windy situations, a mini-teepee arrangement can be combined with a lean-to created from larger logs and sticks, which creates a windbreak and nurtures the fire until it is large enough to withstand the elements on its own.

Protecting Food From Campsite Foragers Such as Bears

Based in Milford, Nebraska, Thomas “Tom” Stefkovich is an aircraft mechanic who led Rigid Metal and Roofing, and guided a construction company that provided roof replacement solutions to diverse clients. A camping enthusiast, Thomas Stefkovich enjoys spending time in nature and is experienced in protecting food from various animals that attempt to scavenge and forage. 

When it comes to large predators such as bears, it's suggested to tie food up in a dry bag hoisted with parachute cord over a tree’s sturdy branch. At an ideal branch height of 20 feet, the bag can be raised to a point in the air where bears, as well as adept tree climbers such as squirrels, will have a challenging time reaching it. 

Bear canisters are required in backcountry regions in some national parks, such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The portable, hard-sided lockers are designed to fit comfortably within a backpack and are virtually bear proof. With weight a major factor, it might also be worth investing in next generation bear-proof bags made from lightweight, bulletproof Spectra fabric. Another protective measure worth considering is bear spray, which will repel bears from the campsite in a great majority of cases where they pose a threat to food supply and camper health.