TO BUILD A FIRE

In a clump of pines on the rim of the bank the spring high-water had lodged many twigs and small branches. Thoroughly dried by the summer sun, they now waited the match.
It is impossible to build a fire with heavy Alaskan mittens on one's hands, so Vincent bared his, gathered a sufficient number of twigs, and knocking the snow from them, knelt down to kindle his fire. From an inside pocket he drew out his matches and a strip of thin birch bark. The matches were of the Klondike kind, sulphur matches, one hundred in a bunch.
He noticed how quickly his fingers had chilled as he separated one match from the bunch and scratched it on his trousers. The birch bark, like the dryest of paper, burst into bright flame. This be carefully fed with the smallest twigs and finest debris, cherishing the flame with the utmost care. It did not do to hurry things, as he well knew, and although his fingers were now quite stiff, he did not hurry. -Jack London "To Build A Fire"

Today my friend Kevin and I discussed the art of fire building. My friends and I have long said that one of the marks of a true outdoorsman was the ability to light a one match fire. On campouts we would act as if we were in a survival situation just to see if we could get a fire going with a single match. Over time we became confident of our ability and the test of manhood had been passed. After this we got lazy. We then would incorporate many different ways to cheat to get a fire going quickly, namely gobs of paper, fuel of some sort, and lighters.
One thing never changed. This was the discussion of the best type of fire to build. One friend was a log cabin type of guy, another a lean to, and still another a tepee. We would sit around and discuss the merits and shortcomings of each type. Mainly it all boiled down to "How we were Taught." It is a fun debate, especially while watching the wood burn.
Well the days are getting colder. Campfires are becoming more and more attractive to think of. I love gathering firewood, piling it nearby, so that later one must make minimal movements throughout the might to keep the blaze going. A fire is such a humbling thing of beauty. We take so much for granted and that point is never so real than when we leave our homes to sit next to a fire on a REALLY cold night. It is mesmerizing to watch a once great log being reduced to smoldering coals.
If you think that I may be romanticizing something as simple as a fire, you really should read some Aldo Leupold. He speaks of how rewarding it is to store up wood. There is nothing more appealing than well seasoned wood. One of my favorite ideas that he writes of is the idea that the trees are storing up the heat and light of the sun, so that he can one day release them in his fire.
So though your clothes may "stink" for awhile. (I personally like the smell) In this fall season enjoy the comfort of a fire whether it be around a campfire, a bonfire, or in a fireplace. Be sure to bring along some friends and maybe a few marshmallows. Oh and a coffepot for some REALLY strong campfire coffee. Black of course!