Prepare the site
Use an approved fire ring. Keep nearby burnable material clear and follow the site’s rules. Arrange water, a shovel and your materials within reach.
PRACTICAL SKILLS · LEARN BEFORE YOU NEED IT
Build a small campfire. Put it completely out.
A beginner practice session for a permitted campsite, with a no-fire option whenever conditions are unsuitable.
Permission and water come before a flame.
Check current restrictions with the land manager. An existing fire ring is not permission to use it today. Skip the fire in windy or unsuitable conditions, or when you cannot fully extinguish it. Have water and a shovel ready before lighting.
For household outages, start with no-cook food or an appropriate outdoor stove plan. Learning a campfire skill does not make an indoor fire safe.
See Smokey Bear’s campfire safety guidance and the current rules for your destination.
Build from small material to larger wood.
Sort the fuel
Tinder catches the initial flame; small dry kindling helps it grow; larger firewood sustains it. Use locally permitted wood. Do not cut living trees.
Leave room for air
Place a loose bundle of tinder in the center with a small cone of kindling around it. Do not pack it tightly.
Light the tinder
Use a match or lighter, keeping hands clear. Add larger wood gradually only after kindling is burning. Keep the fire small and attended.
Technique adapted in brief from REI’s campfire guide (opens in a new tab). The linked guide includes visual examples.
The job ends when the coals are cold.
Let the wood burn down, then thoroughly soak the fire with water, stir the embers and ashes with a shovel, and add more water. Watch for hot steam. Repeat until everything is cold. Never leave a fire unattended or bury hot coals and assume the job is done. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or revive a campfire.
Watch the NPS Campfire Classroom ↗
Extinguishing reference: Smokey Bear. Video: National Park Service, Redwood National and State Parks.
A useful first practice goal.
At a permitted campsite with an experienced adult, practice making a small fire and completely extinguishing it. Success means controlling the whole process, including knowing when not to light it. You do not need a friction-fire kit or a new knife to begin.
Before leaving, follow the site’s cleanup instructions and pack out your rubbish. Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Reviewed September 10, 2026. General outdoor guidance; current local restrictions take precedence.
Continue your basic outdoor practice.
PRACTICAL SKILLS
Basic bushcraft for everyday outdoor confidence
Start with shelter, familiar tools and a short practice session close to home.
Open guide →PRACTICAL SKILLS
Emergency shelter: start with a tent or tarp
Learn to use portable shelter before trying to build one from natural materials.
Open guide →Equipment that supports this plan
Start with what you own. These options address different jobs; use the linked comparisons to choose among alternatives.
A simple hands-free light for finding supplies or moving around the home.
The rechargeable CORE battery costs extra. Maximum brightness has a shorter runtime.
Details and source
The rechargeable CORE battery costs extra. Maximum brightness has a shorter runtime.
Manufacturer / product details ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Petzl TIKKINASome product links may earn a commission. Affiliate disclosure.