The campfire is one of the most anticipated moments of any camping trip: it warms, it lights, it cooks, and it brings everyone together to sing and tell stories. But fire is no joke, it demands respect, preparation, and an adult's supervision from start to finish. In this guide you'll learn how to safely prepare the site, sort your tinder, kindling, and firewood, build the three classic types of campfire (pyramid, teepee, and star), light it calmly, and, above all, put it out completely before you leave. Ready to learn how to do it right?
Preparing the site safely
Before you even think about matches, think about the spot. Choose a flat area, on dirt or rock, away from tents, trees, roots, low branches, and dry brush. Remember that nylon tents catch fire easily, so keep the campfire a safe distance from them and from any flammable material.
Clear a wide area around the spot, removing dry leaves, loose twigs, and grass until only bare ground is left. If you can, build a ring of stones to contain the embers. Always keep water nearby (a full bucket or jug) and, if available, a shovel to throw dirt on the fire in case of an emergency.
Watch out for wind: it scatters sparks and can carry fire farther than you'd expect. If it's blowing hard, it's better not to light a fire at all. And never, under any circumstances, build a campfire without the presence and approval of a responsible adult.
The materials: tinder, kindling, and firewood
Fire grows from small to big, which is why you need three sizes of dry material. Tinder is what catches first: very dry grass, fibrous bark, fine shavings, a small wad of cotton, or crumpled paper. It lights quickly and gives the fire its initial push.
Kindling comes next. Start with very thin pieces, about the thickness of a matchstick, and gradually gather thicker ones, up to about the width of a finger. Kindling bridges the gap between the tinder's weak flame and the real firewood.
Finally comes the firewood: thicker pieces that will keep the fire burning for longer. Always use dry wood, it snaps with a crack when you bend it. Green or damp wood produces a lot of smoke and is slow to catch. Gather and sort everything before lighting, so you're not scrambling for firewood once the fire is already going.
"Build a small teepee or pyramid with VERY thin kindling over the tinder."Scout fire-building guide
Classic types of campfire
Pyramid: the most stable and long-lasting lay. You stack the firewood in crossed layers, like a small tower, with the smaller pieces on top and the tinder protected underneath or in the center. It burns for a good while and is great for a fire circle, which is why it's one of the most commonly taught lays at camp.
Teepee: the kindling is leaned against itself in a cone shape (a little tent) over the tinder, leaving an opening to light it through. It catches fast because air circulates well through the middle, perfect for a quick light. As it burns, the structure collapses toward the center, and you keep feeding it more firewood.
Star: logs are laid on the ground in a star shape, with their tips meeting at the center, where the flame sits. You simply push the logs inward as they burn. It's easy to control and uses less wood, making it popular on long trails and for more fuel-conscious camping.
Read alsoTypes of CampfiresHow to light it, step by step
With the site ready and your materials sorted, place the tinder in the center. Build your chosen structure over it (a teepee or pyramid with very thin kindling), leaving an opening to reach in with the match. If the ground is damp, first build a small platform of dry twigs so the tinder doesn't touch the wet earth.
Strike the match and bring the flame to the tinder through the opening. Once it catches, blow gently and from below, calmly, a soft breath carries oxygen and helps the flame grow. Keep adding thin kindling, then thicker pieces, and only then the firewood. Be patient: adding large logs too soon smothers the fire.
Never use gasoline, alcohol, or other flammable liquids to light or revive a campfire. They can cause a sudden flare-up or even an explosion, and severely burn anyone nearby. A well-built fire starts small and grows with patience, not with a rush.
Putting it out completely and leaving no trace
Putting out a campfire properly is just as important as lighting it. The safe method is simple: douse, stir, and repeat. Pour plenty of water over all the embers, not just the red ones, and use a stick or shovel to turn over the ashes, reaching the embers hidden underneath. Douse again and stir again.
To check, hold your hand about 6 inches above the spot (without touching it) and feel for any remaining heat. If there's any hot spot, add more water and stir some more. The fire is only out when it's cold to the touch. Always put it out with water, not just dirt: buried embers keep smoldering underneath and can reignite hours later.
Finally, scatter the cold ashes and take apart the stone ring, leaving the site as you found it. A good Pathfinder leaves no trace, not of trash, and not of fire.
"A campfire is only truly out when you can hold your hand above it without feeling any heat."Extinguishing procedure recommended by scouting
Respecting nature and the law
Fire in the wrong place turns into tragedy. During dry season, when brush is parched and winds are strong, the risk of a fire spiraling out of control is enormous, during these periods, the wisest choice is simply not to light one at all. Many regions have burn bans specifically during the driest months of the year.
In Brazil, fire use is regulated by law. Law 14,944/2024 established the National Policy for Integrated Fire Management, and each state can set its own periods and rules. Parks, conservation areas, and many private properties have specific rules, and in many of them campfires are banned outright. Before lighting one, check with whoever is responsible for the site and respect any ban in place.
When in doubt about whether fire is allowed somewhere, the safe answer is not to light one. A lantern, a gas stove, or a good flashlight can handle lighting and cooking with zero fire risk.