Knowing how to build a fire in snow is an important skill, whether you need to build a fire for survival or for leisure. Below are a number of ways in which you can build a fire in snow.
Choose a Good Location
Try to find a spot that is sheltered from wind or falling snow. If you’re directly under a tree, first reach up and knock the snow off of the branches.
Use a Platform
If the snow is incredibly deep, or you don’t have the tools to dig in the snow, you can make your fire on top of the snow. You could do this by first placing a row of logs on top of the snow, and then placing a piece of sheet metal on top of the logs. The logs below the metal will help prevent the snow below from melting too quickly. You then build your fire on top of the metal.
Make a Fire Pit
If you have tools for digging, and the snow isn’t too deep, you can dig a fire pit to build a fire in the snow. Dig down to about a couple of inches above solid ground, and then construct a circle of stones. Place the stones next to each other but not directly touching. Build your fire as you usually would with kindling, tinder, and fuel if you have it. If possible, build a platform to keep your extra wood from lying directly on the snow.
Extra Tips to Keep in Mind
After you build either a platform or a fire pit, there are extra precautions to keep in mind. You will have to use more heat than usual to light the tinder. You’ll also need to gather extra wood because you’ll go through wood faster than you would with warmer weather. Try to find large pieces of wood to add to your fire once it has been lit for a while. Putting a large piece of wood on the fire will help keep the fire burning through the night.
Featured Image from Almos Bechtold/Unsplash
