Knowing how to safely build a campfire is an important back-pocket skill for just about anyone. It can come in handy while camping, lounging around your home s outdoor fire pit, and in the event of an emergency. And while anyone can ignite a lighter or strike a match, setting fire to dry wood, it s important to understand how to start a fire safely. To that end, we spoke to the pros and asked them to share their advice on building a safe, successful campfire and the items you need to start one with ease. woman lighting campfire on a mountain at dusk