Things You'll Need:
- two pieces of split log wood, dry
- one match and a striker
- one small to medium newspaper
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Step 1
Place split wood standing up, flat sides towards each other, about 1 half inch apart so there is a space between the two faces, inside your fireplace, preferably on a grate though it is not necessary.
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Step 2
Tear off a piece of newspaper about the size of a letter envelope. Make about ten strips similar to the first one.
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Step 3
Light the first strip with your one match and run the lit match along the first quarter length to get i buring well. Hold the paper vertical while you do this. Hold it close to the slot as you light it and wait until the match is nearly spent lighting the first one quarter of the strip before you slide it into place.
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Step 4
Get ready with strip number two, but wait! Wait until the first strip is about half burned and curling. Now add strip two, holding it above strip one. Watch the flame. You are looking for the flame to jump between the two pieces and it may require you raise and lower the piece you are holding a quarter inch or so to get this right. Once it is burning about one third of the way, slide in another piece. Now gently blow on it, intensifying the flames. They should be starting to lick up the chimney-like walls of the two split logs. If your logs are too close, it smothers the flame. If too far apart, the flame will not go up the walls. You have to quickly and carefully adjust this by little tiny sixteeenths of an inch or so, experimenting to make it work. Meanwhile, anytime the burning paper threatens to go out, add another piece or two and blow to get it white hot. When you hear the first little crackle of the wood starting to ignite, you are ready for the next step.
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Step 5
On that first little first crackle noise, quickly get a whole sheet of newspaper, crumple it into a ball, put the ball on the little fire at the base, and when it ignites, blow hard enough to get it going white hot. Do this with three pieces of paper. By now it should really be starting to go up the inside edges between the two pieces of wood. Next, take another sheet,and fold it in half, then again, then twist it into a little log. Put this log vertically against the crack. When it ignites, again, blow it white hot. It does not take a lot of breath to do this. Do this three times.
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Step 6
By now the little chimney you've made will be roaring flames up it's sides! Mission accomplished. Place a third piece of wood along the base, horizontally, not vertically, and go get yourself a beverage or two, as you can relax for a few minutes. After a while the third piece will be going nicely and helping in the chimney efect, and at this point you can knock the three pieces over into a jumble, which will slow and redistribute the fire pathways. You have achieved a succssful fire and all you have to do now is add another piece of wood every once in a while and joggle the pieces with a poker. My job is done here. Enjoy your roaring fire!
