Dakota Fire Pit Tutorial
While the Dakota Fire Pit is a bit more labor intensive than other fire methods, it will produce a warmer, more fuel efficient fire. This means that to cook on, you will require less fuel meaning more woods saved for later and less time spent collecting fuel. This fire method is also useful for stealth camping as the flame is below ground, minimizing visibility of light.
Another advantage of the Dakota Fire Pit is that it is easy to cook on and if the pot is big enough, can be set directly over the fire. If not, this can be remedied with some cross beams quickly fashioned with a few sticks braced across it.
How the fire pit works is depicted in the diagram below. It helps to build the “O2 Feeder” hole in the direction of prevailing winds. The fire heats up, drawing in air, the 02 Feeder Hole is sloped to the base of the fire so that it will draft oxygen in, causing a warmer and more efficient flame.
First you dig a hole about a foot deep and approximately a foot in diameter.
Then there is the oxygen feeder hole to build. I dig it at an angle, going directly to the base of the fuel/flame.
As you can see, the hole goes straight through and you can see the flame on the other side. I built up the walls on the hole and created a bit more of a slope in the earth around the “feeder hole” in hopes that it would force more air in when the wind blew.
flame seen through O2 feeder hole.
finished product
the fire I made was mostly so I could take the picture of the O2 feeder hole. I did not want to waste much fuel to pass on information.
excellent as always, but what about considering the type of soil, no? If the hole is dug into a thick loam for example, flame could catch, then travel along invisible roots within the top soil, then kindle elsewhere without a campers knowledge. Do you think so?
I enjoy your posts.
I have fought fires in loamy soil that have spread in a manner you are speaking, but never from a campfire. The ones that I have fought like that have been from lightning strikes. Not to say that what you say couldn’t happen.
This particular pit was dug and used after about 2 weeks of rain.
The best answer I can offer you is (with the very bottom suggestion being the best):
Choose a spot that’s downwind protected from wind gusts, and at least 15 feet from your tent and gear.
Clear a 10-foot diameter area around the site. Remove any grass, twigs, leaves and firewood. Also make sure there aren’t any tree limbs or flammable objects hanging overhead.
Dig a pit in the dirt, about a foot deep.
Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible
Pour lots of water on the fire, drown ALL embers, not just the red ones
Pour until hissing sound stops
Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel
Scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers
Stir and make sure everything is wet and they are cold to the touch
******** If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.*************