Lean-to fire lay

Wind holds back a young fire in two ways: it cools the small flame and blows it away from the fuel. The thick log or slanted stick forms a wall behind which the air is calmer. There the tinder can catch fire undisturbed.

The kindling leaned against it lies at an angle over the tinder. The rising flame reaches it from below without the kindling pressing down on the bundle and smothering the flame. Later the thick windbreak log often catches too and holds the embers together.

The wall has to be on the right side – that is, between the wind and the tinder. Check the wind direction before you build: hold up a moistened finger or watch grass, leaves or smoke. A stick pushed in at an angle points its tip into the wind; the bundle lies beneath it on the side away from the wind.

The bundle must lie right against the wall, not a hand's width in front of it. Otherwise the wind still reaches it around the edge. First lean very thin wood against the wall, then slightly thicker wood on top, and leave a small opening on the open side through which you can light it.

After that, add wood gradually. Once the fire is burning well, you can turn it into another form, for example a log cabin fire for cooking.

The lean-to is ideal when a light to moderate wind is blowing and you need a small fire for cooking or warming water. It needs little material: one thick piece of wood and some kindling are enough.

But it does not replace a well-chosen, sheltered spot. If the wind shifts, the wall loses its effect. For a large fire for warmth the lay is too small. And in a storm or great dryness, sparks fly far – then the risk of a wildfire is too high, no matter how good the windbreak is.

Wind is always a warning sign when making fire. Check the local rules and current wildfire danger before every fire; during a fire ban or in strong wind, no fire is made. Clear dry leaves and grass from the surroundings, especially on the downwind side, where sparks are carried.

Never pour petrol, spirit or other flammable liquids onto the fire, even if it is hard to light in the wind – the vapours can ignite explosively and the wind can push the flames towards you. Keep water ready for putting it out and never leave the fire alone.

The lean-to is a classic fire lay from military survival manuals. It combines well with other ideas: a backpack, a rock or your own body can serve as an extra windbreak while you light the fire.

A good rule of thumb: first the site, then the lay. A hollow, a large rock or dense bushes some distance away often protect better against wind than any wooden wall. The lean-to is the fine-tuning at a spot that is already well chosen.