Okay, we've done the "firestarting" theme to death, time to move on to the next step - keeping it going once it's lit.

I feel reasonably comfortable that I can get a fire going using a "tipi" or a "lean-to" type fire - as long as the wood is propped vertically and is burning from the bottom, it seems to burn quite well. (My dad taught me long ago that fire wants to burn upward, and if it can't burn upward, it wants to go sideways, but it will only burn downward with great difficulty. This is why anybody who uses wooden matches learns to hold them pointing downward at a 45 degree angle.)

However, any time I try to convert the fire from a vertical position to the traditional "horizontal logs" type, it just slowly loses energy and dies out; at a minimum, it seems to need a great deal of constant attention to keep it going, not something I'm comfortable with providing in a solo survival sitch.

Is there a "critical mass" needed to have a fire going in horizontal format? i.e. a minimum number of logs, or a minimum size of logs? My dad never had a problem keeping a fire going in our fireplace when I was growing up (I guess I should have got him to teach me when I had the chance <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> )

I'm teaching a Wilderness First Aid course to our group next month (if we get enough interest) and, although it's not technically part of the requirement, I do want to ensure that everyone has the necessary skill to build a campfire. Be a little embarrassing if I can't do it myself. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

(Yes, I'm familiar with the saying "Those who can't, teach." <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )