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If the coals have built up deep enough over the years in your fire pit, or the mineral soil beneath is soft enough, pound in four, 2- foot tall, thumb-size vertical stakes.

These vertical supports help stabilize a "chimney" built of dry wood starting with twigs at the base, gradually increasing in size as it rises. We fill the center of the chimney with curls of birch bark (preferably white) from the endless supply of standing dead birch trees we see in our wanderings. On top of that goes a twisted bundle of the feathery dry twigs you find at the bases of spruce and hemlock trees. (Hint: Carry a plastic bag with you while you are wandering on dry days and snatch a supply of fire starting material when you see it. Save your firestarters for emergencies.) With this setup, one match touched to a birch bark curl is all it takes to light a fire.

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