Also Important in both Fire Building and Maintainance, is the Matter of the Wood's Temperature, -and also the Matter of How Wet or Dry the Wood is, (of course!). ( I'm Speaking on the Difference between Rain Soaked Wood and Ground, vs What you might Find About in the Midst of a Drought. Not Solely about whether the Wood itself is Green or Seasoned.)

I Know from Personal Experience that there can be Quite a Difference between Trying to Start / Maintain with "Cold Wood", -I Mean "Winter Cold Wood", and Trying to Do so with "Room Temperature" or "Hot Weather Wood".

The Warmer and / or Dryer the Wood, -the Better! Naturally and Of Course.

The Same of course can be said for Seasoned / Dried vs Green Wood.

It's Not Only a Matter of the Above Line as One of you has Mentioned, -Nor Only of TG's Excellent Point on the Type or Species of Wood. Nor of the Excellent Horizontal Fire Lay Suggestions here.

Other Factors Apply as Well, -Two of which I've mentioned.

Fire Building and Maintainance is at Least as Much of an Art, -as it is a System or Science!

I've Often Enuff have been Puzzled somewhat, -Out There in the Woods, -on How a Seemingly "Taking/Takeable" Fire, -Can Rapidly Enuf Start Petering Out and Dying on you!

Far from Always now! But certainly Sometimes!

I Know from Experience, -that this is Far More Likely to Happen to me, -With "Cold" or "Damp" Wood! And I'm Talking of even "Fog Damp"! When the Tinder, Kindling, or Fuel, is Often NOT Wet or Damp to the Touch!

It Indeed Sometimes can be Quite an Art, Science, and Challenge! And This is from One who's Built Many a Roaring / Long Lasting Fire. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]JoshE[/email]