anybody have any Ideas on how to conceal a fire at night; If we were in a mountainouse region, occupied by the enemy?

There's a small section in the U.S. Air Force Search and Rescue handbook called "Firecraft undder evasion conditions." It talks about the use of a Dakota fire hole or a trench fire. The Dakota fire hole is made by digging two pits, then joining them with a tunnel at the bottom. You build the fire in one pit and air is drawn in down the other pit and through the tunnel to supply the fire.

The trench fire is simply a trench dug into the ground to put your fire in. The book talks about this being most useful for a group of survivors needing to do their cooking.

One thing the book mentions is that a fire that needs to be concealed should be kept small and used only for cooking, not heat. Also, make sure to bury any unused firewood.

I got the U.S. Air Force Search and Rescue handbook here, or go to the Publications page here at ETS and several of the books available there online have diagrams of the Dakota hole and other useful information.

By the way, I have not had a chance to try these out. I have the book sitting here next to me as I type this.

Use the lizard gambit and international 3 fire distress signal in combination. I don't know who "the enemy" is, but with multiple fires you can watch them investigate the first ones ( build them LARGER than the squaw fire you are using and leave all the Coghlans gear, discount store sleeping bags and Rambo knives we all initially bought as bait. Hopefully, multiple agencies will respond and wind up arguing over jurisdiction while you walk out. The only 'enemy' I've ever encountered in mountainous terrain was the approach of- monday <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This Doesn't have to do with Concealing a Small Fire Itself, -or Night Fires vs Day. But I've Read that One of the Best Woods to Burn for Minimal Smoke!, -is Elm.

Also, concerning Fire Concealment, -Perhaps Rocks can be Piled Up around the Fire. Plus the Earlier Mentioned Idea of Setting it Down in a Hole or Recess.

And Welcome to the Group and Gang! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]halfmonkey[/email]

It has been a long time since I made a Dakota fire hole but I was impressed with how well it performed. The air draft made the fire burn vigorously, which would keep down smoke. It was an excellent fire for cooking, too.

Steve

I learned to us what we called a "pit fire" as a kid living on the great flatlands of the mid-west. There is usually a rather brisk wind blowing and a normal "on the ground" fire will be very in-efficicient. Either two joined holes or a trench. Two holes works better in very strong winds as you can block off one hole to reduce the draft. Sometimes it is better to put the fire in the upwind hole, sometimes in the downwind hole. Depends on how hot a fire you want, how much wind there is and what type of fuel you are using.

Experiment with it a bit and you will find you can get a very hot fire with just dried grass or very small sticks. But be wary of underground fire as the fire may travel along the roots of grasses and pop up someplace else. As with any fire, be sure it is out before you leave it.

If you're worried about "the enemy" I would assume you're in a military unit, so you should/will have triox tabs, if you're in an E&E situation, the Dakota hole takes some time and can be tricky depending on the soil type. A better idea under those circumstances would be to keep moving untill you link back up with your unit/the friendlies.

Troy

NIIIICE!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Wildcard163:

Could be his number 1 caught him with an unnumbered one and was about to give him one when he lit out for the forest and now has to conceal his position.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Seeking to Do So in a Mountainous Area?! Of Course Many Mountainous Areas often have Little to No Soil, -to Dig into, -Anyway! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]wildcard163[/email]