Fire Lighting

In my opinion, fire lighting is a dying art in Scouting. Yes it can be hard to find places to make fires, but make the effort as all kids enjoy doing this activity. Even if its in an old oil drum, or in a barbecue someone has bought along. And as long as the Cubs for example are taught properly how to build a fire and how to respect it, then they will learn a lot. Which sections should do fire lighting? In my opinion, from Cub Scouts upwards. Cubs are not too young for this activity, and they learn so much. With Beavers, it is safer to let the leader build the fire, or get some Scouts to come and do it for them. But as long as all safety precautions are taken, and the emphasis is put on respecting the fire, there should not be any problems.

How to Build a Fire

There are many different types of fire, which I will go into later. But for now I will concentrate on how to light a fire, for example a Teepee fire.

Before we start our fire we must find the wood for the fire. Make 3 catergories of wood.

1. Kindling (Very thin twigs & splinters of wood)

2. Sticks (Thin sticks and pieces of wood)

3. Logs etc. (Things to burn when the fire is going)

Push a medium size stick into the ground for support and then build a little Teepee around the bottom of the stick using small bits of kindling, but not too much. Leave a little gap for the match and push the lit match inside the teepee. This shelters the natch from the wind and allows the flame ro burn the wood from the inside. Then as the kindling becomes well alight, start placing sticks and twigs on the fire, continuing to make the tepee shape larger. When the fire is well alight and has been for 10 minutes on may start putting on larger sticks and logs. This fire can then be fed and prolonged to make a cooking fire or built up larger to make a campfire.

Tips for when you are firelighting

Some of these may seem obvious, but its amazing what some people dont realise.

1. Make sure you have plenty of wood BEFORE you start the fire, so it doesn't burn itself out.

2. Clear the ground first.

3. Have a bucket of water handy.

4. Use dry wood, yes Cubs, Scouts and Leaders have been known to try and light the fire using wet wood.

5. Hold the lit match under the wood, not above it.

6. Dont wear flammable clothes near a fire.

7. Dont make a fire near tents or flammable equipment.

8. Watch out for splinters and nails in wood.

9. Dont use petrol or flammable liquids to get the fire going, especially a cooking fire. This just shows up your inability to light a fire properly.

10. When you hae had a fire, leave the ground and area as it was before the fire.

What Wood to Use

In general, hard woods will burn slowly, whereas soft woods burn fast. Use soft wood as kindling to start the fire and hard wood as fuel when it is established. The wood is assumed to be dry and seasoned. This page currently covers english trees but contributions are welcome.

Alder - A poor fuel, it burns quickly and gives off little heat.

Apple - A good fuel, it burns slowly and gives off a good heat. It is ideal for cooking as it gives off little flame and produces a pleasent smell.

Ash - One of the best burning woods. Produces both heat and flame, and will also burn well when green.

Beech - Like Ash, it produces both heat and flame, though it does not burn as well when green. It also has a tendency to spark

Birch - Produces good heat but burns quickly.

Blackthorn - Burns slowly, with lots of heat and little smoke.

Cedar - Good for cooking as it gives lots of heat with little flame, and has a pleasant smell.

Cherry - Burns slowly and with lots of heat.

Douglas Fir - Produces little flame or heat

Elder - Burns quickly and with little heat. Is very smokey.

Elm - Slow burning but may smoke. Burns poorly unless seasoned.

Hawthorn - Burns slowly with lots of heat and little smoke.

Hazel - A good fuel.

Holly - Good when seasoned.

Hornbeam - Another good fuel.

Horse chestnut - Produces both heat and flame, but tends to spit a lot.

Larch - Fairly good for heat.

Laurel - Produces a good flame

Lime - A poor fuel

Maple - A good fuel

Oak - Produces little flame and an acrid smoke but is a very slow burning fuel which give off lots of heat.

Pear - Produces good heat

Pine - Burns well but tends to spit. The resinous wood makes good kindling.

Poplar - A mediocre fuel.

Spruce - Burns very quickly and sparks badly.

Sycamore - Burns well but generates only moderate heat.

Walnut - A good fuel

Willow - A poor wood. Is completely useless when green.

Yew - Burns slowly and with a fierce heat.

Pallet Wood - Some Cubs & Scouts might find this surprising but Pallet Wood does not come from a Pallet tree. This is just chemically treated Pine, it will give a good flame, but little heat and it burns very quickly. When dry it is excellent as kindly due mainly to the chemicals in it.