How to Make a Fire Dance in a Pit

Getting a fire to dance in a pit is a simple skill to learn.

During the warm summer months many families and groups of friends enjoy spending time outdoors, whether that means backyard barbecues, picnics at a nearby park or finding a spot to spend the weekend camping. When you're spending the night sleeping in a tent, building a fire always adds to the enjoyment of the experience. However, knowing how to build a fire that dances in the pit and doesn't require constant attention is a skill every camper should learn.

Things You'll Need

• Fire logs
• Kindling
• Lighter
• Shovel
• Bucket of sand

Instructions

1. Use a shovel to dig a small pit about 2 or 3 feet deep. If a fire pit already exists, keep the shovel and a bucket of sand nearby, so if an ember pops out and starts a fire, the flames can easily be extinguished.

2. Place kindling in the center of the pit. Make sure to use several handfuls, so once it's lit it will burn long and hot enough to set the logs on fire.

3. Stand eight logs on their ends and lean them into each other over the kindling.

4. Light the kindling with a lighter. Once the logs catch on fire and collapse into a pile, put more logs on top. After all of the logs are burning you should have a good-sized flame that appears to dance above the fire pit.

Resources

• Fire Pit Construction