How to Build a Fire Wind Break

A successful camp or survival fire needs to accomplish two things: it needs to radiate heat and light, and it needs to stay lit. In order to keep the fire lit and burning, a wind break is needed. Wind breaks are a constructed barrier (or natural) that keeps the wind from the base of the embers and fire fuel. Your fire location plays a big part on the construction of the wind break.

Things You'll Need

  • Trowel or tool to dig
  • Small to mid-size rocks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Scout the terrain. Look for areas with slight rises like hills or tussocks. Use natural formations to supplement the wind break you build. Pay attention to the prevailing wind and look for moving clouds. Note the direction they move and use that as an indicator of wind direction. Build on the opposite side of the hill or tussock from the cloud movement.

    • 2

      Find a flat area to build the fire pit and wind break. Dig out a small circular hole, about 2 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep.

    • 3

      Gather a collection of mid-size rocks. If you are near a stream or river, avoid using rocks from the water: when they heat, there is a tendency for them to crack or explode from the water trapped in the rock. Use dry rocks instead.

    • 4

      Position the rocks around the fire pit. Do not overbuild; use a single layer of rocks around the ring.

    • 5

      Build the fire so the fuel (wood) is in the pit and under the rock ring. Flames will rise above the rocks but the fuel remains below the wind break, safe from the gusts and moving air.