My Personal Fire Lay - How To Make and Sustain a Fire 

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Next lesson ought to be on "banking" your fire. For the first 10 years of my life, my grandma cooked on a wood fired stove for the family and hands. She was done with her morning cooking fire by 0600. She would move all her embers and unburned wood to one side of the fire box and cover it with the white ash that fell thru the grate to the cleanout. This is essentially the same idea behind making charcoal. The fly ash keeps oxygen away from your wood and embers enough to keep it from oxidizing (fire) too quickly but allows enough oxygen in so that the embers stay live. She would start cooking the lunch meal around 1030. she would rake out the embers from under the white ash, throw on some fresh tinder and hit it two or three puffs with her bellows and poof, fresh fire. I was lucky to learn that as a small child. It is possible to start one fire and NEVER have to create a new one for months. The most important fire is the one you HAVE right now. You have to experiment to get the feel for how much ash you need and what kind. If you pile on too much fine ash, you can kill your embers, not enough, and you burn them up. Teach yourself how to do it and you can cook breakfast, hunt all day and still huff up a new fire out your bank at 2100

There’s plenty of people like me who are learning from scratch who enjoy your videos. You explain things in gradual steps that others don’t.

If I ever get stranded in the woods I'm going to smile broad as I hear the words in my mind, "welcome to Corporal's Corner".

Most of what I knew about woods craft before the RU-vid era was learned from my Uncle Bill, my mother's brother-in-law. He was slight in stature but still a big enough man to take me and my younger brother under his wing when my own father stepped out of the picture and always included us in the outdoor activities that he regularly engaged in with his own family, my favorite cousins. One of my favorite memories of those camping trips is when we were sent out to gather firewood for the campfire that we were going to have each evening and the simple instruction that Uncle Bill gave us, " If it don't snap, it's crap!!", to remind us of how to tell sticks that would burn from sticks that would just make us miserable from the smoke that they would produce if they were wet or green. That has been my mantra ever since (the word "crap" had quite an impact on a 9 year old back in the early 60's) when I build a fire lay. After watching this video, I now have a second mantra, " fire loves chaos". Love your videos. Sorry about the long story, just got a little caught up in the memories.

0:01 intro 3:55 Preparation (birds nest) 5:47 Red Pine (fatwood) 7:20 gather smalls 9:00 process fuel size log (This is the actual fire starting segment) 10:00 build platform 10:30 super birdnest 11:00 evaluate wind 11:25 make a V 12:00 lay smalls perpendicularly 12:40 light birds nest 13:25 add more smalls 15:06 add fuel size logs 16:10 outro Guys this is very easy to do. The hardest part is finding tulip poplar tree for birdsnest and finding a red pine tree for Fatwood.

Man you are so right. Most people don't know how to make a fire much less set it up to sustain it. Thanks for a much needed video , even if most won't admit it.

And he's back! Thanks Corporal

The biggest, most common mistake I see people make, is that they don't build their fire BEFORE they light it... Everyone throws a spark into their tinder and THEN they scramble around trying to find kindling and fuel wood. Great vid brother... Thanks for sharing!! P.S. That birds nest was effing BOMBER!

Fire videos are my faaaaavorite. There's something primal and human about making fire. Edit: Loving the beard, rock on

I like Kelly's style of instruction. It's spot on, informative and complete.👍🏻👍🏻

I’ve been building fires for 40 years the hard way. This is my new fire lay. Thanks!

Lesson here is take the time to do "fire" the right way. Well done!

Don’t bring sand to the beach, that is great. I used to laugh at guys that would bring fire wood to deer camp.

Born and raised in New York city. I moved out of state with my wife and had no clue how to make a fire until now. Thanks Corporal!

As someone who knows nothing about nothing in regards to outdoors stuff, I very much appreciate that you took the time and effort to make this video. Thank you!

I never thought about adding a log cabin formation after I’ve already established a fire. This makes it way easier to use my fire steel to get this going. Gold.

The more I watch ALL your videos, the more I learn. Thank you!

I've seen and tested a lot of techniques. I gotta say I never heard of the V technique but it looks pretty darn effective and totally makes sense! I'll try this next time for sure! Thx for that Cpl!

How would you ever assault anyone’s intelligence?? If you don’t keep an open mind and absorb knowledge from everywhere then one is then just egotistical and self absorbed. YOU keep up the awesome job and keep providing us with useful knowledge and common sense intelligence. From an Army guy and cop

The problem is people aren't willing to work for the results, they want instant gratification. Watching you process the tinder proves that.

My wife has just been watching this with interest. Our fire was reduced to smouldering, we’ve recovered it and now it’s running with good heat and little smoke. Love from the U.K. for your videos mate.

Corporal Kelly; the kind of guy that has an SOP for creating SOP’s

it's always a pleasure to see your videos coming out. strength and respect of France.

And this is why I watch and follow your channel.. Step by step and easy instruction to follow. It's not always about the size of your log but how you make it work for you!

Thank you for the video. I always learn something from your videos.

Never gets old. Always good to see how with explanation of why. Faultless formula for an excellent demo.

Awesome Sauce my friend!

I have considered myself knowledgeable on making and sustaining a fire. But I just learned I had very little clue. Thank you for this valuable info. A few take aways for me that I was doing incorrect, smalls and kindling, either non-existent or too little. Fuel, my logs are too big starting at thigh size and larger. Now, I will practice this method, and then I will try to relearn cooking on a open camp fire. Or do you have a video in Your history for that? Because I basically destroyed any food I tried to cook and resort to a stick with a hotdog. 😁🤣😂

Some of the best, easiest to understand videos out Man

You may not get a million views but this one view of mine will, as always, be taught to my son and you got 2 generations of well trained outdoorsman Sir. That, is good to go! 👊💯🔥

I can’t believe I’m getting lessons like this for free. Amazing teaching!

I like your stuff. Clear, concise, and succinct. Ooh Rah.

Best fire instruction video yet! Right to the point no BS... see you next time.

Earth, Wind & Fire's, "Serpentine Fire" comes to mind for chaos fire. thanks for the tutorial, Gyrene. Semper Fi.

Thank you for this video. I am guilty of the not enough kindling school. Now I know better.

The trick to any fire design is to retain the heat that is radiated from the flames while providing enough airflow to evacuate the fumes and any water vapor. Your V design, with a bird's nest at the core is great.

Great tips. Sometimes you forget the basics. And, there's nothing wrong with snagging a new twist on your own fire starting methods. Love the reminder of how to recognize red pine. Thank you for sharing a part of your day with us!

Like the layered bird nest with fat wood. I grew up without heat. So fire was my job as the oldest son. Just something I did. The bottom layer was three logs (split only) about 1.5-3" in diameter. Gave you air flow and the kindling embers falling lit it. It also gave some air flow under the fire. That way you weren't stuffing out the fire but would end up with good coals that was sustainable. Just another way of looking at it.

I can watch him teach bushcraft skills all day 😍😍

I make Dakota fire pits they are easy and never burn out but the down side is you need an e tool or pick but they're easier to cook on but I respect your build hat's off to you

i don’t need to watch this, i’ve known how to build a campfire for years, but i’ve seen this 3x in the past. love corporals corner and i’m just hype to go camping this weekend. thank you for the endless and amazing content 🇺🇸

Corporal Corner... Excellent educational videos. Best Wishes & God bless America🇺🇸

My favorite is the log cabin config. But quickest is probably the teepee.

Easily one of the best fire making videos I have ever seen. Clear instructions with the reasoning behind why the step is taken, plus smart tips to make things easy going. Outstanding work! Thanks for he great content!!

It kills me how many people out there don't know how to build a fire. Then again, I was in scouts for years before joining the military, and of course, I love camping so practice makes perfect. I'm glad that you care enough to share this knowledge and look forward to even more of your videos! Stay alert, stay alive! Oh and God bless you!

Spot on as usual! When we teach firebuilding to our new scouts, the main thing we teach them is to have your wood sorted out and ready to add as the fire increases size. You are absolutely right about people building fires and not having follow on fuel to keep it going! Good points for beginners!! Keep up the good work!! Tanker Approved!

Another great video corporal.

Great video, as always.

I’m glad you did this video There are 1000’s if not 10’s of 1000’s Fire videos But there is always something to learn from a different perspective I like how you tell it and show it In laymen’s terms Thanks for being it to us 👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks for the step by step now I know what I’m doing wrong. Here in Southern Missouri I use fat wood but I rush so it smokes a lot love your videos

Dude, sick beard 🤘🏻

I know this video isn’t new but I thank you so much for all of your videos. I have never been taught these types of self sustainability but, it has become evident we all need to know these things. I appreciate the detail and thoroughness with which you present in these videos. I appreciate that you explain why you do the steps so we might apply these principals in all relevant scenarios. I also enjoy the bits of humor tossed in Thank you and I look forward to learning much more to know when shifting I might stand a chance.

Another great video, packed with solid information. Thank you for this and reinforcing the basics that often get overlooked on other channels.

Great video and instructions on the basics of creating and sustaining a fire. This concept is pretty much exactly the same way my dad taught me when I was a kid. One problem I've noticed, whether with friends in the woods or online, is that most people do not collect enough materials. They collect a bit of tinder, a bit of kindling and then a fair amount of fuel and more often than not do not have enough initial materials to get the fire properly started and sustained so as to burn the larger fuel material effectively. I would rather spend longer (if time allows and it's not critical to get the fire going asap) collecting and ensuring that I have enough of all the "smalls" than rush some of it. If I don't use all in the first fire, then I have some to start another at some point should it be needed.

Outstanding and good to go!

Outstanding!

I like this guy's videos...no BS. Good info, knows what he's talking about.

What a beautiful fire. A bit different than my own way, but I can see the efficiency of your way. Thanks for another great video.

I like the arrow idea and laying the 3rd bunch on top to pull over after ignition. Gives you proper access to the tinder then good placement of the kindling. Plus you have it pointed in the direction of the wind. To be honest a fire like this would be hard not to light. Good video

I like watching other people's fire videos, sometimes you learn tips that help in various situations. My thing is when starting fires preparation is the key, a basic understanding of the fire triangle doesn't hurt either. Good video.

Great video! The amount of tinder/sapwood used here could work in a PNW Winter. This fire lay would have a good chance of working in the most challenging situation: wet miserable conditions. I love the parts about making a V stick pile to ameliorate the effects of wind. Call me old fashioned, but I also teach the Scouts to clear an area to bare dirt 6 feet in diameter, and make a double ring of stones, if not available then earth clods with air vents. We save the debris to one side in a pile to cover and hide the whole thing at the end with the goal being that no-one could detect the location of our fire activity. How about a video of putting out a fire, (sprinkle-stir-repeat) method and then cover over with leaf litter to reconstitute the existing forest floor. You would make an excellent visiting speaker to Boy Scouts. Kind regards, Ted

These are the vids I like most bud. Good job, well executed. Pointing out what's wrong with my fire making and showing the science behind it basically. Only thing I didn't understand was because of the lack of wind while making the V

The kindling V was the biggest takeaway for me. I find that no matter how much I know, I can always pick up at least 1 or 2 tips watching someone else perform a craft.

Best video on this topic I've seen in years. Finally, someone else who can make a sustainable fire with no smoke.

Cpl. Kelly you are the fire god . With a fire like that you should have enough time to do the 3 S’s and we know what that is . Thanks again for your video , waiting on the next one , carry-on Cpl. !

Outstanding as always! Thank you for all the outstanding info.

Great advice on getting and keeping a fire going. I love how you explained the 3 elements of fire, heat, fuel and o2. Also how you explained the different sizes to make the fire, tinder, kindling, and fuel. Great video. It was outstanding.

Great classic demonstration.

I love you videos and know you have lots of things in your skillset that i need to learn! Your number one in my book!

Where you are at trees are plentiful not so in the Texas panhandle, yea there is mesquite, pear cactus, prairie grass, but unless you are along side a creek or water source trees are far apart. Making a sustainable fire can be more difficult.

Wonderful Corporal! Very basic instruction, but wonderfully explained and laid out! Thank you, and Sempre Fi!

came for the gear stayed for the salutes

Great video, sure to be a resource for many people for years to come, keep up the good work! Semper Fi!

I'm learning so much! Thank you!

Another OUTSTANDING Video CPL. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed it. You always reach this old South Georgia SGT something. Thanks and God Bless. RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!

Thank you Corporal for showing us how to start a proper fire.

That was the most informative fire starting video I have ever seen. I already know how to start and maintain a fire and even have my own channel. I feel it is useful to always be open to learning new ways to do things. Thank you for showing us your way and taking the time to walk us through it.

Great video

Corporal- thank you very much for taking the time making these videos. I’ve learned so much, and my 3 daughters and I just watched your video and are heading outside for some ‘training’ practice - not in the rain though. Thanks again

so glad that I found your channel. Your videos truly are outstanding!

As always a comprehensive and entertaining video. Thanks for sharing Sir.

Exactly how its done!! Glad to finally see a video of a proper fire lay. Thanks for sharing brother!

Thank you for your explication of your fire making process in this video. It was very helpful.

Apparently the algorithm thinks I need to watch this again 2 years later. So I did. But only because the video is awesome.

It has been some time since I’ve tried to set up a proper fire. This was a pleasant reminder of the very basics. Thank you.

Another great one, thanks Corporal

Solid video as always! Thanks so much.

Superb instruction. Thank you.

Those are the ideas I needed. Excellent!

I really got to thank you corporal, this video helped some boy in Toronto start his first fire and sustain it too!

Thanks! This is a super simple and well explained concept! I'll update all my forebuilding processes to mimic it. Also I love the termonology of Pencil, finger and thumb sized gets it started, then "anything larger than a thumb" for "fuel". Makes it easy to explain to kids or non campers of EXACTLY what is needed. Awesome video!

Great video, well explained and demonstrated. Thanks!

I can honestly say I have never seen this method. Always great to have additional options in the tool box. Thanks!

Yet another good, well demonstrated and well explained fire lay to the toolbox!

Down fires, upfires, and just great thought. Thanks!

One of two of your best fire videos!

I’m getting a great education, getting ready for the basic course in the spring. Thank you for this.

Good useful vid there Shawn. Its always good to see a fire started and maintained well, which you do exceptionally. Keep the faith Corp.

Thanks Shawn. This process was so well explained and not just rushed through. Great video man.