How do you make a signal fire?

Answer 1

Step 1

Find a clearing to build your signal fires. You won't want to use campfires in the middle of a Forest trees will block it from view from aircraft.

Step 2
Build 3 fires, in a triangle position, as an international distress signal. If you can't keep the fires going nonstop because you are running out of fuel or need to sleep, keep the fires prepared. Find a way to cover them so they will stay dry. Keep tinder and wood ready to light at any given moment to get the attention of planes flying over head.

Step 3
Make log rafts and build fires on them, if you are by a river or lake. Secure the rafts together, in a triangle position, and anchor them to the bank.

Step 4
Use small isolated trees as your signal fires. Make sure they won't catch other trees or vegetation on fire. Place dry timber and bark and empty birds' nests in the boughs of a living tree and light it up for massive smoke and a tall signal fire. For a dead tree, you can build a fire on the ground around it and let it catch slowly.

Answer 2

To make a signal fire, gather dry wood and kindling in an open area. Arrange the wood in a teepee or log cabin structure to allow airflow. Use a fire starter or matches to ignite the wood, and keep adding small sticks to feed the fire until it grows strong. Once you have a steady flame, add green vegetation or a colored fabric to create smoke signals. Make sure to have water and a way to extinguish the fire nearby.