Right now, there are National Forest Fire Restrictions all over the southwestern states, drought. We used a cardboard box and a candle to make a mesmerizing fire gazing structure and a propane camping stove to heat up the soup and tea, last week.
When the rains come, we build a fire-pit, piling up a rock ring, or digging a good deep hole, or both. Often a good spot has a fire ring, or a materials for a new one from the old one. They are clear, but often the ground is filled with ash and messes with barefeet, etc. Mostly, we are in the tooleys inaugerating a new spot and liberating it naked.
I use matches and dryer lint and anything around to shave and burn to start the fire. This is usually under kindling piled in a pyramid boyscout style. Then bigger pieces, unless small and hot is convenient. Sometimes a small twig fire is just as warm, fun and easier to function with, especially when wood is scarous or thicker chunks too much time and effort with the tools available.
I check the wind and the brush. I wouldn't build a fire in tall dry grass, with dry grass too near. I watch the flames, the wind direction, the sparks and time goes by.
I keep water handy, a shovel of sorts to snuff the fire, if necessarily and then of course at end of night. I re-check coals in the morning usually, if I'm leaving a site. And am sure before I bed down. A little wind and fires can easily re-ignite with hot coals left unattended.
We eat raw living foods when possible. I have a small cooking devise and pot that I use to reheat dehydrated foods and make tea. It is less than a pound to carry for that kitchen.
CAr camping I have an entire portable propane stove to use on the back tailgate.
Since I stopped eating steak and caught fish, over a campfire, so I don't carry a grill for a fire. A fire is fun, spiritual, warm. It is a lot of labor just to cook with, unless that is fun.
Marsh mellows, kids young and old love these in golden brown perfection.
A while back, the propane was lost, so I piled up rocks in the fire and stretched the pot between them. Fires are messy when it comes to cleaning tools, pots, pans and grills. I do have grills for roasting fish and veggies over a good fire, but I haven't done that for a while.
I make up most of the food, dehydrate, cook it at home, beforehand. Then, it is DF's responsibility to heat that up at camp. I set up the tent and mattresses. We both help each other with these things, when we do. When I spend a few days at one place next time, I might cook over the fire for gourmet fun, brazed, veggies, peppers, tortillas, smokey fish burrito, yum.
So, I inherited my brothers boy scout handbook at age eight. It still works.
Jbee
