a. Evasion considerations:
(1) Use trees or other sources to dissipate smoke.
(2) Use fires at dusk, dawn, or during inclement weather.
(3) Use fires at times when the local populace is cooking.
b. Fire building. The 3 essential elements for starting a fire are heat, fuel, and oxygen.
(1) Heat sources:
[a] - Matches or lighter.
[b] - Flint and steel (experiment with various rocks and metals until a good spark is produced).
[c] - Sparks from batteries.
[d] - Concentrated sunlight (use magnifying glass or flashlight reflectors).
[e] - Pyrotechnics, such as flares (last resort), etc.
[f] - Friction method (Figure VI-11). Without prior training, this method is difficult to master and requires a lot of time to build the device.
Figure VI-11. Friction Method
(2) Fuel is divided into 3 categories: tinder, kindling, and fuel. (Gather large amounts of each category before igniting the fire.)
[a] - Tinder. Tinder must be very finely shaved or shredded to provide a low combustion point and fluffed to allow oxygen to flow through. (To get tinder to burn hotter and longer, saturate with Vaseline, Chapstick, insect repellant, aircraft fuel, etc.) Examples of tinder include—Cotton,Candle,Plastic spoon, fork, or knife, Foam Rubber, Dark Bark, Dry Grasses, Gun Powder
[b] - Kindling. Kindling must be small enough to ignite from the small flame of the tinder. Gradually add larger kindling until arriving at the size of fuel to burn.
[c] - Fuel. Examples of fuel include—Dry hardwood (removing bark reduces smoke), Bamboo (open chambers to prevent explosion), Dry dung
c. Types. Fires are built to meet specific needs or uses.
(1) Tepee fire (Figure VI-12). Use the tepee fire to produce a concentrated heat source for cooking, lighting, or signaling.
Figure VI-12. Tepee Fire
(2) Log cabin fire (Figure VI-13). Use the log cabin fire to produce large amounts of light and heat, to dry out wet wood, and provide coals for cooking, etc.
Figure VI-13. Log Cabin or Pyramid Fires
(3) Sod fire and reflector (Figure VI-14). Use fire reflectors to get the most warmth from a fire. Build fires against rocks or logs.
Figure VI-14. Sod Fire and Reflector
(4) Dakota fire hole (Figure VI-15). Use the Dakota fire hole for high winds or evasion situations.
Figure VI-15. Dakota Fire Hole
(5) Improvised stoves (Figure VI-16). These are very efficient.
Figure VI-16. Improvised Stove
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