Two Fires Winter Survival Skills

Eight inches of snow fell in North East Georgia, so of course I had to get out and bushwhack up to the favorite overhang and test this concept.

I'd always heard about the two fires. Instead of one big white man fire whereby you burn your front off and freeze your behind, or visa versa, you create two small safe fires. The trick is to build the fires with a sitting/sleeping place between them. The whole thing is done with a safe zone, so that the fires can not escape or threaten to overwhelm the person tucked between them.

In reality, this is not hard. If you were sleeping near one big fire, you would know how to do this. Clear all dry leaves, possible natural fuels, or gear from close proximity. If possible, surround the fire with large stones, creating the fire ring. This is very important if the ground is not perfectly level. As the branches burn in half, they can break and roll off the fire onto surrounding area.

As the video shows, its not hard at all to maintain two small fires. Of course, a great bed of coals goes a long way in warming and securing long term comfort.

A person can eat snow if they are warm enough. But, its pretty nice to drink warm, if not hot, beverages in winter conditions.

The survival can, with plastic sheeting, matches, petroleum jelly fire starter, a knife, compass, and other treats is always nice when playing in the woods.