Dig a Dakota fire hole

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Dig a vertical pit about 2 feet deep and 1 foot wide where you want the fire.

2. 2

   Dig a second, smaller hole the same depth roughly 1 foot away, connected to the first by a horizontal tunnel at the bottom.

3. 3

   Pile kindling in the main pit and light it; the second hole pulls air in and feeds the flames from below.

4. 4

   Cook on a small grate or lay sticks across the main pit.

5. 5

   When finished, fill both holes with the excavated soil and tamp down.

Tip: Angle the connecting tunnel slightly upward toward the fire pit so falling embers don't roll into the air intake.