Les_Stroud_Survive!_Host_of_survivorman

tricks is to build the fire

provides additional fuel

stroud’s Tip

If the ground is wet

and covered with snow,

one of my fire-saving

on a platform of wood,

even if it’s rotten. This

protects my fire from

the moisture below and

when the fire gets going.

Consider the flow of oxygen as well. Oxygen is a critical component
of fire, and if you build your fire too deep in the ground or shelter it too
much, it may not get the oxygen it needs. You’ll waste a lot of time and
energy if you have to keep it going by blowing on it.

What Type of Fire Should You Make?

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF FIRE: the small one that protects you from the
elements (and that you may even keep inside your shelter), and the big,
conspicuous fire that also acts as a signal for possible rescue (provided
you have enough fuel to keep it going). Keeping both alight simultane-
ously may be difficult, especially if you need to spend time seeing to other
aspects of your survival.
In fact, keeping just one fire going at all times can be a challenge,
and your ability to do so depends on the amount of firewood available.
But if you have enough wood, then you should never let your fire die out.
It’s what all forest-dwelling and primitive peoples did, and I figure they
must’ve known a thing or two about survival.
If you build a small fire inside your shelter, you must stay in there with
it. So the trick is to maintain the big fire outside and then bring it inside
when it rains or you are bedding down for the night. Most adventurers keep

(^100) | Survive!