5 Steps for Building the Perfect Fire

Whether you’re staying overnight in the woods, stopping for lunch along the shore, or just hanging out in the backyard, a campfire is the perfect complement to springtime activities. A good fire quickly becomes the centerpiece of any outdoor gathering, providing warmth, sparking conversation, and serving as an essential element in a celebration of being outside.

Although a fire pairs well with many pursuits in the spring, conditions can make it tough to build a good blaze. For one, the ground and any wood lying on it may be damp from rain or late-winter snow. Combine that with fickle breezes, and tinder and kindling gathered on the spot can be seemingly impossible to light...