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No one has surpassed Sigurd F. Olson in writing about campfires. I suggest reading Chapter 5 entitled CAMPFIRES in the Summer Section of his wonderful book THE SINGING WILDERNESS.
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Happy Let's Hug Day! 🫂
Kevin Callan: Death of the Campfire
- Thread starter Glenn MacGrady
- Start date
Ive found a lot to agree with in this thread and would add a small tid-bit for my “indoor camp fire”. I built this stove back at Y2K and thankfully the world DID NOT end! In Alaska a “second heat source” is comforting and this one was built to do it all. 14 gallon water tank on the back for bath’s (at the end of the world) and a machined flat top for cooking on. Not just setting pots on either; this baby will fry a perfect pancake!
All the shiney stuff is Stainless and the fully machined door seals with out gaskets; to the point, i can shut the fire off!!!
My Son it law will haul it up to the cabin after im gone and in the mean time it sure makes a nice plant stand!
All the shiney stuff is Stainless and the fully machined door seals with out gaskets; to the point, i can shut the fire off!!!
My Son it law will haul it up to the cabin after im gone and in the mean time it sure makes a nice plant stand!
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Where I live, the threat of fire is just as important as the lack of fire. Our summers are ruled by fire or the absence of fire. During dry summers, there is a strange juxtaposition of abundance and scarcity. Fires will be burning all around us, often out of control. The air will be thick with smoke, to the point that breathing is affected, and smoke hangs in the air like a low cloud. During these times, we are not allowed to have a fire. So we enjoy all of the "ambiances" of fires, smoke and stinking clothes, without the actual flames.
These are trying times for us. Fire is the main part of our social scene, particularly at our place, which tends to have people sitting around our fire a few times a week. There are no concerts or theatres or shopping malls here, so the fire becomes the central point of social life. We have had up to 50 people at our place on a weekend night, sometimes with a jam session going on, but always with some form of music. When a fire ban is enacted, there is immense frustration and disappointment. We have put three coleman white gas lamps in the pit to simulate the ambiance of flames, when it was colder, we have put a big propane torch in the pit, all kinds of shenanigans. The absence of fire in our lives is a major blow. When a ban is lifted, the entire town goes bananas, bacchanalian celebrations go on for weeks.
Strangely enough, when solo tripping, I don't always have fires. Sometimes I'm so tired I just set up the tent and go to bed. However, when group tripping, we always have fires, if permitted.
Last weekend I brought in the last of my firewood for the year. I cut a big load on Friday, had it split and stacked by Saturday, then my chum Chainsaw Rob texted me Sunday morning at 7:30 and asked if I was up, said he was bring me an early birthday present. Showed up with a full cord of 8 foot jackpine, so my day was spent bucking, splitting and stacking. I have a wood stove in the house, but we only use it if we have company over. The majority of my wood gets burned out side. The first year of covid, we had limits on indoor gatherings imposed on us, so we always met outside, and I burned five full cords of wood in the fire pit that year. I've only got around five cord of wood layed away this year, I hope it is enough.
These are trying times for us. Fire is the main part of our social scene, particularly at our place, which tends to have people sitting around our fire a few times a week. There are no concerts or theatres or shopping malls here, so the fire becomes the central point of social life. We have had up to 50 people at our place on a weekend night, sometimes with a jam session going on, but always with some form of music. When a fire ban is enacted, there is immense frustration and disappointment. We have put three coleman white gas lamps in the pit to simulate the ambiance of flames, when it was colder, we have put a big propane torch in the pit, all kinds of shenanigans. The absence of fire in our lives is a major blow. When a ban is lifted, the entire town goes bananas, bacchanalian celebrations go on for weeks.
Strangely enough, when solo tripping, I don't always have fires. Sometimes I'm so tired I just set up the tent and go to bed. However, when group tripping, we always have fires, if permitted.
Last weekend I brought in the last of my firewood for the year. I cut a big load on Friday, had it split and stacked by Saturday, then my chum Chainsaw Rob texted me Sunday morning at 7:30 and asked if I was up, said he was bring me an early birthday present. Showed up with a full cord of 8 foot jackpine, so my day was spent bucking, splitting and stacking. I have a wood stove in the house, but we only use it if we have company over. The majority of my wood gets burned out side. The first year of covid, we had limits on indoor gatherings imposed on us, so we always met outside, and I burned five full cords of wood in the fire pit that year. I've only got around five cord of wood layed away this year, I hope it is enough.
Stoves are made from metals that have to be mined. They sometimes use plastic made from petroleum. Fossil fuels are required to fire them. Transportation is required to move the materials and fuel to the consumer. Then there is the problem of container disposal.
Fires are carbon neutral and help clean up the dead woody debris on the forest floor.
As a forester I find building fires to be more environmentally responsible in a time when overstocked forests are the norm.
Fires are carbon neutral and help clean up the dead woody debris on the forest floor.
As a forester I find building fires to be more environmentally responsible in a time when overstocked forests are the norm.
Wow, pretty cool thread. I use my twig stove for cooking and coffee … or to use in my tarp tent to take the morning chill off. When traveling, I do not have, nor do I desire a camp fire. I leave early in the am and have no time for one. At the end of a travel day I am SO HUNGRY and tired it is all I can do to set up camp, make supper sip a little whiskey or rum as the stars come out and then fall into a deep sleep.
Once at base camp I have a different view. My dog Jake and I wander about the timber exploring moose trails, creeks and rock ledges. We paddle about, fish, shore lunch etc. I enjoy camp chores, and wood gathering just seems like something to do when exploring the timber.
I enjoy a low camp fire for looking at and day dreaming. I enjoy the sound of the crackling. Hard wood smoke, like birch wood, kills the bacterial that causes B.O. on our bodies. I learned that from the old way people and as a hunter it has helped me. I like the smell of wood smoke. When I go through my gear and smell the smoke … it takes me back to the deep feeling of freedom. One of the simplest yet most rewarding things for me is to be many days travel in some remote wild place - having cooked a meal over a fire with the glow of it contrasting the dark evening … sipping a bit … the night sounds, the crackle, the cooler air … makes the hard travel to get there worth the effort for a small camp fire.
Once at base camp I have a different view. My dog Jake and I wander about the timber exploring moose trails, creeks and rock ledges. We paddle about, fish, shore lunch etc. I enjoy camp chores, and wood gathering just seems like something to do when exploring the timber.
I enjoy a low camp fire for looking at and day dreaming. I enjoy the sound of the crackling. Hard wood smoke, like birch wood, kills the bacterial that causes B.O. on our bodies. I learned that from the old way people and as a hunter it has helped me. I like the smell of wood smoke. When I go through my gear and smell the smoke … it takes me back to the deep feeling of freedom. One of the simplest yet most rewarding things for me is to be many days travel in some remote wild place - having cooked a meal over a fire with the glow of it contrasting the dark evening … sipping a bit … the night sounds, the crackle, the cooler air … makes the hard travel to get there worth the effort for a small camp fire.
Almost spiritual, the way Odyssey lites a campfire.
You couldn’t pay me enough to have missed spending time around our evening campfires.
Summit Lake, Marshall Lake circuit. L-R, Christy, Brad, (Odyssey), Mirand, (Mrs. Odyssey) Karin, Memaquay
You couldn’t pay me enough to have missed spending time around our evening campfires.
Summit Lake, Marshall Lake circuit. L-R, Christy, Brad, (Odyssey), Mirand, (Mrs. Odyssey) Karin, Memaquay
Built a fire in the backyard campsite last night. I am building fires in the wood stove a couple of nights a week now.
Next we will have some people over and cook with a Dutch Oven out back.
Later I will put up the wall tent and have some fires in the tin wood stove.
My back yard is a great place to camp.
Next we will have some people over and cook with a Dutch Oven out back.
Later I will put up the wall tent and have some fires in the tin wood stove.
My back yard is a great place to camp.
Would love to see pics of your wall tent as the season moves on.
Out in the bush I use fire mainly for cooking. My trips last 4-6 weeks and it would be very challenging to take enough fuel with me. Where I travel, in northwestern Ontario, I find enough firewood. My fire is kept small. Most of the fire pits I come across need to be modified to suit my needs.
I don't have an actual campfire. As soon as I'm done cooking, I usually let the fire go out unless it's very cold.
Of course I proceed with caution, especially when it is dry. I just want to prepare my food and not set the forest on fire.
I don't have an actual campfire. As soon as I'm done cooking, I usually let the fire go out unless it's very cold.
Of course I proceed with caution, especially when it is dry. I just want to prepare my food and not set the forest on fire.
Excellent post and pictures Aslowhand.
My old pal Al Mundt RIP did a 2 1/2 week canoe trip in what is now the BWCA in 1938. His outfitter was Sig Olsen. Al was a forester and taught people to cross country ski until he was 88 years old.
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I enjoy a campfire and would hate to see a permanent ban. I understand temporary bans during extreme dry weather, and according to the article dry conditions are more widespread and common than they used to be and may get worse in the future. My take away from the article is, if I were planning an extended trip I would have a contingency plan as to what kind of stove, how much fuel I would need and how I would pack it if there was a ban. I wouldn't wait until the day I got to there to find out if there is a ban and what to do about it.
I would also like to know if the use of some types of stick stoves are allowed, or the use of an enclosed wood stove. I know that in Anchorage when they have a fire ban I can still burn my wood stove. I've taken a wood stove in the shoulder seasons and enjoy its warmth and efficient use of wood and don't miss a fire. My small stove only weighs about 7lbs.
I would also like to know if the use of some types of stick stoves are allowed, or the use of an enclosed wood stove. I know that in Anchorage when they have a fire ban I can still burn my wood stove. I've taken a wood stove in the shoulder seasons and enjoy its warmth and efficient use of wood and don't miss a fire. My small stove only weighs about 7lbs.
That's how it is around here too, usually they ban "open fires" which means campfires. Stoves are a separate thing and are often still allowed but they do get banned too sometimes.
Perhaps I've lost track but during BWCAW fire bans, a stove has to have a valve so it can be turned off. Stick stoves, Kelly kettles, etc. not allowed. Some question if alcohol stoves that just have a cap are even permitted in a fire ban.
same for Ontario parks and most Ontario provincial bans, except they generally use the term "positive shut off", so my understanding is alcohol stoves are good as long as they have a cap the snuffs the fire, but open cook stoves like stick stoves aren't because you can't snuff them out immediately.
I'm now thinking that the general subject of fires can be subdivided into at least three different categories.
1. Fires for warmth. When traveling in colder climes and times, and certainly in winter camping or after an unplanned cold water dunking, a source of warmth becomes closer to a necessity than a luxury. I've never liked camping in colder weather and have done so less and less as I've aged.
2. Fires for cooking. Some folks like to cook with wood instead of petrochemicals and these types of fires are typically small and more temporary. I'm a big fan of small propane/isobutane stoves like a Jetboil, but I also now have a twig stove backup.
3. Fires for ambience, communal bonding, and trance-like "pyroskepsis"—to coin a word from Greek roots: pyro (fire) and skepsis (examination, observation). These fires can often be big and long-lasting into the night, and were sometimes mockingly called "white man's fires" in groups I've been with. I used to especially like engaging in pyroskepsis when I was a drinking man, but that was 35+ years ago. Now, I only engage in omphaloskepsis (an established dictionary word).
So, in all three cases, I suppose I was never a big pyromaniac when solo and have become even increasingly less so in categories 1 and 3 as I've . . . uh . . . matured.
1. Fires for warmth. When traveling in colder climes and times, and certainly in winter camping or after an unplanned cold water dunking, a source of warmth becomes closer to a necessity than a luxury. I've never liked camping in colder weather and have done so less and less as I've aged.
2. Fires for cooking. Some folks like to cook with wood instead of petrochemicals and these types of fires are typically small and more temporary. I'm a big fan of small propane/isobutane stoves like a Jetboil, but I also now have a twig stove backup.
3. Fires for ambience, communal bonding, and trance-like "pyroskepsis"—to coin a word from Greek roots: pyro (fire) and skepsis (examination, observation). These fires can often be big and long-lasting into the night, and were sometimes mockingly called "white man's fires" in groups I've been with. I used to especially like engaging in pyroskepsis when I was a drinking man, but that was 35+ years ago. Now, I only engage in omphaloskepsis (an established dictionary word).
So, in all three cases, I suppose I was never a big pyromaniac when solo and have become even increasingly less so in categories 1 and 3 as I've . . . uh . . . matured.
fires for all three.
I would add to that the subdivision another one separating those for which fire is a "common" thing (currently or in the past) vs those that might go on one short "outdoor adventure" per year, live in a city where open fires just don't happen and only a small percentage have actual wood burning stoves/fireplaces.
When I am out in the wilderness I am not drawn to making a fire for aesthetic reasons because I have sat by probably 1000 campfires in my life, many of my friends would be lucky to enjoy a campfire more than a handful of times in their entire (adult?) life. The desire for a campfire is much higher in that group than in a bunch of people (many found here on this site) that have had plenty of campfire experience and do not feel the need to repeat at every opportunity.
Experience with campfires is precisely the reason I can't wait to build another and cook something for my friends.
