Stack your fire. It is important to realize that a fire needs potential energy AND oxygen to burn. Potential energy is stored in the fuel of a fire. So, the wood is the fuel and contains potential energy. Air contains oxygen so obviously, that’s important too.
So start out by building your base. Crumple up some paper and put three balls of paper down. Next, add some kindling wood. Good kindling is lightweight wood that is very dry and is broken into small bits. The goal of the kindling is to transfer the energy of the fire from the paper to a slightly longer burning element so you can catch the rest of the wood on fire. Next, you need the actual wood for the fire. You want good, dry wood. Best if it is multi-faceted with lots of nooks and crannies. Fire burns best on surfaces that are not smooth. When you arrange the wood, be sure not to smother the paper or kindling. Remember, fire needs oxygen. If the paper is all covered up, oxygen can’t feed the fire. So, make a tee-pee. That works well.
The light the paper and let nature convert potential energy to kinetic energy and get ready to make s’mores!
Steps
Crumple paper
Add kindling wood
Select dry - split wood
Make a tee-pee
Light and enjoy!
Tips and Tactics
Remember your science
Potential energy is stored in wood
Fire needs to transfer it's energy from the match to the paper to the kindling to the wood
It needs oxygen to do that. Make a Tee-Pee.
Dry wood is best
Kindling should be broken into small bits
