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1. Wood selection. There are several factors to keep in mind for
wood selection:
 | Avoid wet wood. Damp wood will work for the body of the stack but
have some dry wood for the core to get the fire started. |
| For a really fast burn, use dry, seasoned wood with a large surface area
such as old fence material. |
| Surface area to mass is the most important criteria for fire size and
speed. Use small pieces with a large surface area to add intensity and
height to the fire. Use larger pieces to provide longevity
(recent bonfires we have been trying to keep the burn time short so that it
can be cleaned up quickly after the ceremony is over). |
| Most of the wood should be less than 3" diameter. |
2. Site selection.
| Only use areas approved by the park rangers. |
| Always use a fire ring, borrow one from a nearby campsite if there is not
one at the bonfire site. |
| Large rings allow you much more variety, allowing you to use much longer
pieces to construct a larger pyre. You should avoid constructing a
pyre more than twice the ring diameter in height. |
| Overhanging trees should be avoided since the flames can be very tall. |
3. Pyre construction.
| An open pyramid or tripod construction usually works
best. Use longer, sturdier pieces to form a tripod.
Consider tying the logs together at the top with some wire. |
| Construct a platform in the middle of the tripod with some smaller dry
wood. The platform should be able support about a quart of
kerosene in a ziplock bag. |
| Lean large or medium pieces against the tripod. Be sure to
leave gaps so the core of the fire can breathe and the ignition source can
be added later. |
| Try to construct a platform about halfway up the pyre from the lower
platform for a second ignition source. |
4. Ignition source placement.
| Consult with the pyro crew on this.. There should be two accessible
places, one near the bottom and one halfway up the pyre for ignition
devices. The pyro crew will place the ignition devices. |
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