Responsible Hiking in Eastern Kings

Camp fires A camp fire is part of the tradition of camping. It goes back centuries to our ancestors. Beyond the good cheer and warmth it offers at night, fire's practical uses are vital to the time spent in the woods. A fire is the main factor in cooking food, boiling water, burning rubbish, and drying clothes and gear. Equally important to knowing how to light a fire, is the knowledge of where to build, how to control and put out a fire, and what type of fire is required for a specific purpose. A campfire is not the easiest thing to build or start. Often urgency, especially in wet conditions, leads to frustration and failure. in the first attempt at lighting a fire. The brain is your most important tool. S.T.O.P. and use it. Use the four fundamentals.

Meet Luke Robichaud from the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation

Stop

Think

Observe

Plan

Never build on your trail. Find a safe location on dirt, rocks or sand at least 30 metres from the path. Do not build a fire at the base of a tree. The heat will kill the roots. Completely clear the ground of leaves and twigs. Develop a spot of solid dirt two metres or more in diameter.

A fireplace may be built. It may be a hole dug in the dirt or a ditch. The fire may be surrounded by green logs or a circle of rocks. Whatever you build, ensure the fire is in a location where the wind is at your back.

What to gather

Look about and gather wood. Make a neat pile near the fireplace.. Ensure it is a on the side away from the wind so sparks will not ignite it. When stacking the wood place tinder, kindling and fuel in three separate piles.

There are two kinds of wood in the forest. Conifers or softwood trees, are fast growing trees. They include pine and spruce and have needles. Conifers are good as a starter and make quick hot fires. These trees burn quickly and make few coals.

Deciduous or hardwood trees are slow growing trees with leaves. The wood is compact and heavy. Birch and maple trees are examples. Hardwood trees are good for making lasting coals. The wood is slow burning. It needs a hot fire to get started.

In wet weather look for dead branches, that are still attached to the trees. They are much drier than twigs sitting on the ground. If sticks are wet, split them, for they will be drier inside.

Tinder should be evergreen tree twigs no bigger than a pencil. Shavings, fuzz sticks made with a knife or strips of birch bark also may be used. Kindling should dry sticks no wider than your thumb. These sticks should be 15 to 30 cm. long. Dead branches from the lower limbs of trees are best. They are much drier than sticks found on the ground. Never use rotten wood. It is damp easily crumbles, and offers little heat. The real fire material is pieces of wood from kindling size to large logs. Position yourself so the wind is at your back. Make an angle of two small sticks of kindling. Place tinder in the angle so that each piece touches the other. You must allow air to pass. Construct a tunnel in the bottom for the match. Strike a match. Cup your hands to protect the flame from wind until it burns well. Place it under the center of the tinder pile. Add tinder gradually. Place the kindling one at a time always using slightly larger pieces. Make a tepee shape over the growing flame. Space the wood to allow air to enter.

Cooking fires Start your cooking fire by building the foundation fire. A tepee fire is meant to assist with quick boiling. All the heat is concentrated at the small point at the top. It is a very hot fire. A crisscross fire is long burning and gives good coals. You should use large logs on the bottom and smaller as you build up. Build over the foundation fire which you set first. This fire should be used for rubbish disposal. Pile the refuse a little bit at a time on top. It takes a well-burning fire to burn moist garbage. Ensure there is lots of air. A trench fire is a long, narrow fire suitable for several pots. Use sticks the length of the trench and short logs that are criss-crossed. Commence with two foundation fires. Reflector fires are used for baking and for a high steady heat. These are achieved by building crisscross fires against a stone. It is best to allow it to burn to hot coals.

The evening campfire

There is nothing nicer for hikers than a glowing campfire around which to sit to review the day's experiences. As evening shadows gather an intimate fire for a small group can be started by placing three logs butt ends together in the center of the foundation fire. They will burn a long time as they are pushed together towards the center.

Be fire wise Build a small fire. It should only be large enough for the need. Never leave it unattended. Have a container of water or dirt handy to extinguish the fire or to control it from spreading. Observe carefully that sparks must not be blown onto leaves or grass. Never fall asleep without dousing the flames first. Once you do, stir the ashes so there is no danger of hidden coals. Err on the side of caution, always. Thank-you to Catherine, Charles & Joel of the Campbell's Cove Campground, Luke, photographer Tim Brothers and videographer Waldron Leard.

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Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation

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