Wet starts: Perhaps you have some good tinder and kindling, and although it's not raining, the other fuel is a little wet. The medium stuff can be prepared by carving small curls up the side of each piece with a knife. This will help it ignite from the tinder's flame. It takes some extra time, but if you really want a fire, it's worth it. Once the fire is going, use it to dry out large chunks that you place on the perimeter of the fire. If it's pouring down rain or all available fuel is soaking wet, consider using a chemical firestarter.

2torial #0438: Learn2 Build a Campfire (Continued) Place the tinder and build the teepee   Put a handful of tinder in a compact pile (a little bigger than a golf ball) on the ground. This will be the heart of two simple structures: a "log cabin" built directly over a "tepee." Both of these surround the tinder. Using the kindling, build a small tepee around the tinder. Gaps will form naturally as you place the twigs. That's okay, you'll be dropping a match through one of those gaps. Step 4