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My Heart’s on Fire

Summer is in full effect by now and one of the best activities for summer is a beach bonfire.  This activity is a great way to get friends and family together.  So gather up your coolers and lawn chairs, hotdogs and side dishes and get out to the beach for some summer evening fun.

Building a Bonfire
First and foremost, you have to find out from your local fire department and/or law officials to see if and where it is legal to construct a bonfire.  There may be permits needed.  Once the location is decided, here are some steps to setting up your bonfire.

-Create a Pit: Dig a whole in the sand about a 1 ½ feet deep with a width that is 2 to 3 feet wider than you wish your fire to be. Be sure to choose your location wisely, meaning not near any trees or other vegetation.  Also keep the direction of the wind in mind. You don’t want to light your town or your friends on fire. It might be a good idea to surround the pit with some medium size stones.  This will help keep the fire from spreading outward.

-Once the pit is done, stack firewood log cabin style in the center of the whole, leaving a space in the center of the stack.

-Next, fill the whole you left open with wood chips, twigs and newspaper.  Note: avoid using dry leaves, as they tend to burn quickly and also fly away lit. (See above “don’t light your town and friends on fire”)

-Light different points of the center kindling and fan lightly or blow into the center so it gets hotter. Keep adding additional kindling till embers are created.

Put Out the Fire
All good parties must come to an end so the best way to put out your bonfire is with stuff you already have on hand.  Eventually the fire should begin to die down.  Use the left over water and ice from your drink coolers to dump over the flames. You can also cover the fire with beach sand.  What ever you do, make sure the flames and embers are completely extinguished.

Always remember, SAFETY FIRST!!

Note: Any kids reading this should not try this without adults being present.  The summer can be the best time of the year but not if you end up in the hospital.