Fire under tarp?

[trust]

A while ago, some friends and I went to do some bushcraft/camping and the weather was slightly wet. In discussing techniques, someone with experience mentioned building the fire under a tarp... I believe he was referencing a small fire, but having put a few small holes in the sil nylon, this was a "no way" moment for me. I'm all for learning however...

So can anyone speak to success in putting a fire under a tarp without melting things or other issues?..

[cougarmeat]

I would never do that and I have to be a bit militant because my hiking partner says she likes a camp fire. All I see are little sparks floating toward my nylon. To compromise, I try to set up as far from the fire ring as possible. But if you want to try a small fire while out in the winter night (i.e. snow) here's an idea.... First - I'm not suggesting you do this under/near your tarp - but that's my phobia. Do and learn. So what i saw on YouTube videos is people using this material called Fire Cloth (or some variant of the name). You can buy it at harbor freight or similar stores. It's used in welding to protect objects around what is to be welded (think paint job on a car). Or used as a fire protector in the kitchen; throw it on the stove to smother a fire.

The blanket I bought was 6 x 8 ft and I had a seamstress cut it into four pieces and hem the edges so it wouldn't fray/unravel (loose weave). When I went to pick it up, she said she had trouble because she usually burns/melts the edges to seal them. But this blanket was, you know, fireproof.

So you can put that fireproof cloth down on the snow and built your fire (twigs/sticks/wood) on top of that.

I did see some videos where people had fashioned the cloth into sort of a stove-ish rectangle to hold the fire with a tunnel leading out of tarp for smoke exhaust.

If I were to experiment with this - it would not be with my nice, light (expensive) camping tarps. For me, it's just not worth the risk.

[Chrisja77]

Most of the fires I've seen under tarps on videos and bushcrafty sites seem to be made under heavier duty tarps than what we use to backpack with.

[ocnlogan]

I've never seen anyone build a fire under a tarp. I've seen them build it close, and in front of the tarp. It's seems that as long as the fire wasn't full of super sappy woods (not throwing tons of sparks), and the wind was blowing away from the tarp, it should be ok.

I have seen candles used inside of a tarp or emergency blanket to replace a small "scout fire". I'll post up a video of this later when I'm around a computer. The idea is that it warms a very small area, add keeps you earn using minimal equipment.

So I guess it kind of depends on what your friend meant by "small fire", and "inside" the tarp.

[thehomeofDob]

I think I remember seeing a fire under a tarp in on of Shugs latest videos, I think it was the frozen butt one.

[La Picker]

I can surely understand why no one would dream of getting a fire anywhere near their $150 silnylon. But that's one of the advantages of using a $7 Harbor Freight blue tarp. Keep your fire small and close to the edge and you'll be fine. But if the worst happens and you spark a hole in it, throw it away and go get another one for the next trip. And they really aren't THAT much heavier.

[BrRabbit]

Everyone's definition of a campfire is different. Some like to have their fires fed with 8ft long logs, others - with little twigs.
I wouldn't try doing campfire under a tarp, but would definitely run backpacking stove (gas or alcohol or wood-burning) under the tarp in a bad weather. That's one of the advantages of a tarp - you don't have a floor.

[Grumpy Squatch]

I have used my Solo Stove under both a silpoly and silnylon tarp. Only do it when it's raining and the tarp is angled to block both the wind and let the rain run off. As long as the wind blows away from the tarp I've never had a concern - the fire in the stove is so small and efficient that sparks never travel more than a few inches before self-extinguishing. Upper edge of the tarp would typically be ~ 5' high.

[Valley Scout]

I won't put a fire under a nylon tarp. A duck or canvas might have a small fire under it, but certainly nothing large. A large coffee can, cut for venting and inverted on the ground, can be used to house a twig fire that will keep sparks to a minimum but provide a little heat in a baker type shelter.

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

I do place fires under my lightweight silnylon tarps when it's really ghastly out. I hang my tarp at a very low angle to maintain more cold water on the surface, select non spitting wood and keep it very small. Its very handy way to boost moral, warm after a cold afternoon and to dry out everything and cook in a shelter. That said I make my own tarps and quilts so worry less than most about damage