Building a fire is one of the most important tasks that a Young Marine must accomplish after constructing a shelter to live in. Fire provides warmth, comfort, and the ability to cook. The most common mistakes made by those attempting to make a fire are the choosing of poor tinder and the failure to shield precious matches from the wind when striking. Remember that the four most important factors in a good fire are spark, tinder, fuel and oxygen.

Waterproofing matches before going camping is the best idea I think for a Young Marine. Stick matches can be dipped in finger nail polish and stored in a waterproof container. Obviously a cigarette lighter is always best to have, but rightly so, some parents don’t want their children playing with such items. I concur. Anything that can start a fire is dangerous and should be treated in a respectful way. That’s why I hope that all Young Marines, until they become more proficient at camping and outdoor skills stick to good old fashioned stick matches.

Dry grass, paper or cloth lint, pre-soaked flammable rags (that are completely dry before using) and dry bark are always good forms of tinder. Place your timber in a small pile resembling a teepee with the driest pieces at the bottom. Gathering up all dead and fallen branches around your site will help make a great campfire. As usual, you should always gather your fuel (wood) before you even start your fire, and have it as close as possible so you won’t have to venture away in the middle of the night looking for more wood. Before cutting down trees make sure all deadfall in the vicinity is used up. This way, as you probably already guessed, fueling the fire doesn’t become such a difficult task.

Remember, a well ventilated fire burns best.