The fire triangle

Every fire needs three things: heat, fuel and oxygen. Understanding this simple idea helps you light a fire when it's difficult, keep it going, and put it out safely.

The three sides

Heat gets the fire started and keeps it going. It comes from a match, lighter, spark or friction, and then from the fire itself.
Fuel is anything that burns: tinder, kindling, wood, and some other materials.
Oxygen comes from the air around the fire. Fire needs a steady flow of it.

Take away any one of the three and the fire goes out.

Using it to light a fire

Most failed fires are missing one side of the triangle.

Not enough heat. A single match can't light a thick stick. Start with fine, dry tinder that catches easily, then add thin kindling so the flame grows step by step.
Wrong fuel. Damp or green wood soaks up heat to dry itself out before it can burn. Use dead, dry wood that snaps cleanly.
Too little oxygen. Packing material too tightly smothers the flame. Leave gaps between sticks so air can flow through. Gentle, steady blowing at the base helps a struggling fire.

Using it to control a fire

To make a fire hotter, add more oxygen: open up the structure or shelter it on one side so the breeze feeds it from the other.
To slow a fire down, reduce fuel by letting it burn down, or spread the embers out.
To keep a fire going overnight, use larger logs that burn slowly and bank embers with ash.

Using it to put a fire out

Remove heat: pour water on, which cools the fuel.
Remove oxygen: smother small fires with soil, sand or a fire blanket.
Remove fuel: clear burnable material away from the edges and let what's left burn out.

For a campfire, water is best. Drown it, stir it, and drown it again until it's cold to the touch.

Safety

The triangle works against you too. Dry grass, leaves and wind can spread a fire fast. Always clear the ground around your fire and keep water or soil close by.

Never use a fire, stove or barbecue inside a tent, shelter, car or closed room. As well as the fire risk, burning uses up oxygen and makes carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas you can't see or smell.

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