The Seekers’ 11-month immersion adventure in the Northern Wisconsin wilderness ended just two weeks ago. Despite the Equinox informing us that it was spring, the ground remained frozen with snow and the Seekers’ need for fire persisted until the very last sun. Berry Love wrote about her relationship with fire while she was still at Snow Camp, sharing the lessons she learned that she planned to take with her when she returned home.

Written by Berry Love:

Berry Love

Before coming to do the Wilderness Guide Program, I never thought about what fire needs in order to burn well. If fire doesn’t have enough heat, the wood starts smoking. With more air, it can burn hotter and the smoking stops. Ultimately, I learned that whether the wood smokes is about heat and not air. I learned to place the wood closest to where the heat is.

We learned from the wilderness guides that fire needs to burn efficiently, using air, fuel, and heat.

When the fire pit is elevated, it gives the fire the air it needs. In the beginning, I didn’t believe this would make much difference until we were introduced to the elevated fireplace. We had less smoke than usual. I’ve learned that the size and dryness of the wood are the factors I have to look at so the fire can burn efficiently.

Berry Love with one of her bow drill kits. The seekers were challenged to create a new kit after three successful fires with that kit.

To start a fire, I have to give energy to the fuel (the wood), to enliven the first coal. In my relationship with fire, I am the one to make the fire visible, to draw out the fire that is in the wood.

To make the fire with a bow and drill constantly challenges me. I’ve learned that it is essential to carefully choose the materials for my fire kit. Every new kit is a new challenge. Before I arrived in this program, I had been able to make a coal. But it took me several weeks of practice until I made my first coal here.

I had to be patient with myself and overcome many moments of frustration. Even now, it is difficult to produce a coal every time.

Unlike with electricity where I can rely on the convenience of a switch, fire requires a constant awareness. The fire provides us with warmth, cooks our food, dries our clothes, and gives us light, all in one. In civilization, these tasks are performed by different machines. Fire making teaches me to be aware of everything I am doing. And the teaching continues even after the fire is burning. To be the most comfortable living outdoors, constant awareness is needed because the fire is constantly changing. Nothing in life stays the same shape. If I want the fire to constantly be burning, I have to constantly take care of the needs of fire.

When I burn the wood, the energy is released again and will take form in another place and another time. I like the idea that I play a role in the creation of new things just by burning wood; I am part of the endless circle of life and I give what I can give.

Up Next:  In the next post we’ll take an in depth look at how the guides help prepare the Seekers to transition from living in the wild back to modern culture.