How much firewood?

SilverDancingGirl · Post by **SilverDancingGirl** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:29 pm

Our theme camp is bringing a small, elevated fire-pit. Trying to figure out how much firewood we'll need. Anyone got any advice?

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:34 pm

a lot more than you think

try it at home first, then think about how many hours x how many days

then guard your pit against dummies throwing trash in it like nitrous chargers that go BOOM

Oh and read the BM site about burn pit rules and stuff..

edit to fix spelling

phil · Post by **phil** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:48 pm

More. Bring more. More.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:12 pm

You're getting some of the gentle teasing that is to be expected on this board.

Do read up on the rules. Firewood is tricky. You'll have to pick up every stray splinter and piece of bark before you leave. It's heavy and bulky coming in, and you have to take out your ashes. (leave no trace.) So you can't use the firepit for the last day or so you're there. Most people don't bother. there are communal fire platforms just past the esplanade if you've got honest to goodness no nasty smoke no explosion burnables to get rid of. You're supposed to take those ashes out as well, so I guess some sort of fire bucket is called for. Camp stoves for cooking.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:18 pm

You're cold? Put on a sweater.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:25 pm

Fires were once common at burning man.
Go figure!

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:47 pm

Yeah, I'd have to say that having your own campfire at Burning Man is a lot more trouble than it's worth. At least it is if you're really gonna take care of ALL the moop.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:18 pm

Bob wrote:You're cold? Put on a sweater.

What Bob said...

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:33 pm

And get offa my AstroTurf[TM]!!!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:33 am

Don't bring firewood, there's plenty of art that you can steal.

Seriously, bring a fuckload, enough to trade.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:33 am

With firewood I always figured that more is better - you can always give it away if it turn out you brought too much.

I met a guy last year with a great fire ring, - elevated, with ash pan underneath. His plan was to come and help build other camps and keep scrap lumber to burn in it. This doesnt work as most things are prefabbed, or the camp owners plan on burning scraps themselves.

have fun.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:56 am

> you can always give it away if it turn out you brought too much.

If you bring too much, _burn_ it. Sheesh!

My favorite Burn moment from the last several years:

Three guys in gigsville were throwing wood from the trailer truckload into the fire in their VW van. They were standing upwind, so all the sparks and ashes were blowing into their faces and clothes. One guy said, "You know we're stupid to be standing upwind." The other two kept right on, and one of them said, "We proved we were stupid on Tuesday."

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:49 pm

"We proved we were stupid on Tuesday."
Lawdy, that is precious.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:36 pm

Reminds me of the explanation I heard for a problem..

"We couldn't see the marks.
The blood washed them off."

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:19 am

here's an alternate take: make sure you have someone willing to tend the fire pit for all the days you want to burn it.

Last year our camp brought a butt-load of fire wood, much more than it turns out we needed because we didnt have enough homebodies to stay at camp and watch it. We were a "day camp" so we did our interactive thing mostly during the day with the exception of two nights when we threw parties. We had a standing rule that no fire barrel could be left unattended, a couple of nights we didnt even fire it up because we all wanted to roam the playa.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:38 am

we have a nice outdoor fireplace. Damn thing is ashy though, so it has only been to one or two regionals, now it is for backyard evenings only. We did cheat and found a gas fireplace on clearance ($35!!!) which will run on propane. It isn't easy being ungreen, but we try.

Crystal chandelier, fireplace, Wretched Excess Camp, here we are!