SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/scout-dead-and-down-wood

What kind of wood should you gather for a campfire?

Dead and down wood you can break by hand.

  1. Branches cut from living trees
  2. Dead trees that are still standing
  3. Dead wood on the ground that breaks by hand ✔

Why: Leave No Trace says use only down and dead wood from the ground that can be broken by hand. Live wood won't burn well, and standing dead trees shelter birds and wildlife.

Huh, didn't know that: Leave No Trace also says burn all wood and coals to ash, then scatter the cool ashes.

The dad joke
Why don't trees like campers with saws? They're tired of being cut down.
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Sources

  1. National Park Service: Leave No Trace Seven Principles https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm
  2. Smokey Bear (USDA Forest Service / Ad Council): Campfire Safety https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety/how-to-build-your-campfire

Test yourself in the game

Outdoors & CampingThe fire triangle says a fire needs which three things?Outdoors & CampingWhen building a campfire, what goes in the center first?Outdoors & CampingHow far should a campfire be from tents and overhanging branches?

That's stuff everyone should know.