How to Build a Bonfire
Building a bonfire is a staple when it comes to camping trips and Boy Scout activities. If you’re still having trouble building the real thing, you may want to refresh your memory with these steps on how to build a bonfire:
Materials
Large rocks
Logs
Shovel
Dry twigs, pine cones, newspaper or dry leaves
Long, dry branches
Matches
Newspaper wick
Procedure
Find a spot where to build your bonfire. Make sure that the camping area allows bonfires. You should also start a bonfire in an open area, away from trees or anywhere where it can cause a major fire.
Use your shovel to dig a circular area around 12 inches deep to help the fire be more controlled.
Make a circle around the hole using rocks.
Put two logs in the middle of the hole, lying two feet apart.
Fill the space in between the logs with your kindling materials, such as dry twigs, pine cones, newspapers or dry leaves.
Stack two more logs facing the opposite direction of the first two logs.
Fill the space of the top logs with long tree branches, and cover it with more kindling material.
Continue Step 6 to 7 until you have four layers of logs. When you’re done, put a last single log on the center.
Make a tent-like shape surrounding your log stack using the long branches and extra logs. Keep a small opening on one side of the stack for the newspaper wick.
Take a newspaper section and twist it into a wick-like formation. Put it in a long tube and use the matches to light the end. Stick the lighted end into the stack and cover it with a log to prevent it from blowing out. Wait until the inner stack and its kindling material catches fire. Once the fire is big enough, you can spread out the stack only slightly to make the flames go lower and burn more gently.