THE DAKOTA FIRE HOLE
It is possible to conceal the open flame of a fire below ground by digging a “Dakota fire hole”. First, find a suitable location to dig your primary hole in the ground. The size and depth of the hole will depend on the intended size of the fire, but a 12” deep hole 6-12” in diameter is a general rule of thumb. Then dig about an 8” diameter secondary hole about 1’ upwind from the first one, angling it toward the bottom of the first hole to make them easier to connect. Finally, create a fist-sized tunnel between the two holes at the bottom. Build the fire lay as usual in the bottom of the first hole. The fire will draw in air through the tunnel, resulting in a hot, efficient burn that produces less smoke. Flat rocks or wet sticks can be laid across the top of the fire hole to further conceal the light produced by the flame and provide a surface for boiling water or cooking. HOWEVER – in a hostile environment, there is no such thing as an invisible fire!
