I almost always have a campfire.
The only time I do not is when a fire ban is in effect. I never have an issue of smoke getting in me, on me or in my camper... but it may be perhaps be due to understanding the lay of the land. Where I live in the mountains it is easy to predict the wind currents with respect to the time of day and the terrain. It is second nature to me because I want to know wind currents when I am hunting- I always try to hunt big game with the wind in my face. I apply the basics to where I set up camp and where I make my fire.
This photo may look like it is going into the camper (and in late after noon it might pass over the truck) But in a few hours it will completely pass away from camper and campers:
I go to a regular spot about 5 miles from home where there is a log that is constantly getting burned down from the visitors. It is still slightly "green" but it acts as a heat sink once it gets going:
I usually bring some wood from home to get it going and then scavenge from the surroundings.
Once it "gets going" it is easy to maintain at this point. The large log acts as the heat sink to keep thermal energy. I can add smaller pieces as needed to maintain the desired effect. There are enough coals established that the fire is easily maintained.
When I am ready to retire, I will roll out the large heat sink log and let the coals start to burn down. If there is a threat of a cold front and wind potential I will dump some gray water to tame it down... otherwise the few coals and embers will be left to burn out.
This is the view from said campsite early evening which wind drifts will later take any smoke away from the quality sitting and drinking area:
Folks, bear with me and I thank you for your patience. It is snowing now tonight and I will need to shovel again tomorrow. The following are some of the views from this one of many favorite camping spots of which I frequent.
With the spoils of living in a beautiful area come the pitfalls of snow even in mid April. Enjoy the photos and forgive me for bragging as I pour another Jack and long for the High Country summer days once again... and in the spirit of this thread topic...
Show me some of YOUR best campfires!!
This may look as if smoke is rolling towards the camper, but upon starting there is some random smoke as the heat develops. But when the heat really stats to happen it will pick up the wind currents of the terrain. I try to look for the best currents of the later hours to enjoy a hassle free fire later in the evening:
Here is an indicator of the fire in relation to the camper locate (for best leveling) and in anticipation of the night currents:
Folks... thanks for bearing with this disertion on fire theory. It has (is) been a long winter and I long for the 2 months of summer that I have locally. I live for these days where my camping is oh so hassle free and local. It is further for me to drive get a 6 pack of beer than it is to get to places like these. Thanks for thw slack, but it it is still winter for me:
Oh...BTW, I never cook over softwood fires no matter how hot the coals are. Hardwood is only what I use for cooking.
Thanks for reading... good food, good drink and RV.net is what get me through long winters. More photos of where I live will follow soon!
Let's see some of your best fires!
Sold the TC, previous owner of 2 NorthStar pop-ups & 2 Northstar Arrows...still have the truck:
2005 Dodge 3500 SRW, Qcab long bed, NV-6500, diesel, 4WD, Helwig, 9000XL,
Nitto 285/70/17 Terra Grapplers, Honda eu3000Is, custom overload spring perch spacers.