How to Build a Dakota Fire

[@hellcat611]

Woah. Blast from the past. We learned how to build Dakota fires when I was in Boy Scouts. We had to deal with hard clay in Eastern/coastal NC, so digging the holes was a bitch. Honestly, I had forgotten about their utility until this popped up on my feed. Pat Mac reminding me of old lessons should have never forgotten! Love it.

[@alpeter3787]

The buried embers stay lit for hours afterwards many times: be sure to bring water to actually put it out* If you dig one under a tree, the roots can catch fire, so be careful.

[@LostCityExpeditions]

I’ve always seen this in diagrams but never a real one. Looks like a great option!

[@yourdad4627]

I generally use. The Portland fire, it's 1 tire 1 gallon gas 1 random firework left over from the 4th

[@andrewb.9815]

That is beautiful. Something I would never have known without this.

[@ph5915]

These Dakota Fires are amazing! I never knew about them until a year or so ago, a retired Green Beret channel made one specifically for low detection camping. He was in the woods/forest and he made his very concealed low shelter - I mean I could've walked right past it and not known - and he made a Dakota Fire Pit next to his shelter and a large tree and he had draped some vines/branches/leaves just above the pit (high enough to avoid catching fire - LOL) but the foliage would diffuse even further the small amount of smoke that might happen. You SF guys are just amazing knowledge banks!

[@AlexG-xl1cc]

Know a name of that? Interested in the low visibility shelter

[@ph5915]

​@@AlexG-xl1cc Hi Alex, I found the video I was recalling, from the channel 'The Gray Bearded Green Beret' and the title is "Concealed Wilderness Fire: The Dakota Fire Pit" : kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGraoH6rn9qofNU

[@ph5915]

dang it, that wasn't the one with the concealment...Sorry...It was a while ago, I watch a lot of SF guys videos, it's fascinating...I'm just a city boy with allergies and bad skin...LOL. I'm doomed in the apocolpse :). I'll look some more but it was a while ago,,,

[@TheSkinnychef1620]

@@AlexG-xl1cc - Grey bearded green beret may be a good place to start looking...

[@DFOOSKING]

you would be amazed how many Dakotans have no clue what a Dakota Fire is....

[@TheRicardoSanchez]

I love these fire structures. It's basically a rocket stove but in the ground. I'm always amazed by the energy - the physics of these things. Thermodynamics yo. Science! But also FIAAAAAHHHHH!!! (picture Beavis)

[@markhc4581]

Pat Mac is definitely the head professor at the School of Badassery 🤘. Great channel!

[@thadrobinson8343]

Using a tarp to pile your excavated dirt on would make it really easy to extinguish the fire; just pick up the corners of the fabric and pour the dirt into the holes. Might also reduce the human activity signature, especially if you kept the sods together and replaced them after filling the fire pit.

[@LJK301]

Remember not to do this in any kind of peated ground or something similar, especially if you're smothering it to put it out. Those embers can stay lit for a really long time and eventually spread to a large area, under ground. It's a forest fire that you can only detect when it's too late.

[@searchingforwhatislooking]

Was going to say the same thing. Good looking out.

[@ericwiese7479]

And those fires are crazy

[@LJK301]

@@oldbird299 Yeah. Then things like this happen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn6Wg2qNbc2GpJY

[@ericwiese7479]

@@JB-uk7mn or even months later

[@Nowhere888]

I saw how to build a Dakota fire pit in an FM manual but Pat had so many more tips and reasons why to build one. This guy is so sophisticated in his understanding. A true pro.

[@cbrucesbiz]

I live on the cost of Florida. Going out to my yard this weekend and build one. I am from North Carolina so on my next visit I will get into the woods and find some free lightered knot pine stumps and bring some home. My grandfather first showed me this type of wood and I chopped a lot for the five years I lived with grandma and grandpa.

[@brandonschwertley2723]

One thing I will add for the people who need to hear it. Piling the dirt into the hole as a quick dousing option is an EMERGENCY option. This should not be your primary means of stopping the fire. Embers and coals can still burn for a while underground, plus the heat of the contents will create a hot spot, which can start a wild fire if conditions are right. This is mainly an issue in areas with very organic soil, and experiencing drought conditions. The subterranean heat ignites underground organic matter, which will escalate from there. Even in a desert with little organic matter, you should try to not risk it. This is still a great option for emergency fast dousing, and leaving little trace of your time there. However, you still need to be a good steward of the wilderness, and being smart about your fire usage is key. Fire is a responsibility just like firearms. We want be be safe above all so we can continue to do these cool activities.

[@brandonschwertley2723]

@Y T Yea, its not the rock or sand I was worried about. If you actually read my comment you would have seen that I referenced organic matter in the soil, which can ignite and slowly burn resulting in a wildfire hours or even days after. This is in fact a known phenomena, and has resulted in forest fires in the past. I only offer this piece of advice because we all want to be good stewards of our surroundings, and the penalties for starting wildfires can be very steep. It is prudent to ensure the fire is in fact out. I am not the only person to deposit this opinion, you can read other comment on this same video. The fact you fail to recognize this proves to me you do not have good reading comprehension skills, and likely take the responsibility of a fire lightly. I implore you to take such matters a little more seriously, before you destroy somebody's home/livelihood from a wildfire you started. You also fail to realize that everyone will have access to a nice flat rock to throw in the fire pit, or even remember to do so. You're response to my comment alone, also proves to me that YOU were the type of person I was trying to reach with my comment. I hope you did in fact learn something from this, and will continue to responsibly enjoy the wilderness in the future. I don't care if you use a Dakota fire, I just care that you properly extinguish your fire.

[@DigitalNeb]

What a great system. One of my favorite things about this type of fire is how directed the heat is. Cooking on top of one of these is easy.

[@DetPaddyOC]

Excellent bit of info! Thanks Pat!

[@yukefort8402]

Nice Pat! You can save the little store bought fire lighter wads by shaving some of the fatwood down to a finer material and setting it inside your dried grass! Lights sooo easy, even when it’s a little moist. Doin a great job Pat!

[@samcolt45]

Very nice 👍🏻

[@andrewmn3024]

Seen many videos on these, never seen the tip about the wind, thanks!

[@larryeddings3185]

Good demonstration of a very useful fire pit.

[@gunsandcommissions]

Never seen this before. Brilliant and powerful in its simplicity.

[@patrickkelligan2875]

Good location away from those pine roots in the background.

[@MrSLF]

Thank you.

[@sjoeld57]

Man, did I learn alot in less than 8 minutes! This is good stuff.👍

[@matthewtilley7224]

Basic Survival Stuff. Nice!

[@gregentwistle5105]

Awesome vid. I learned a lot about the feeder hole being angled and catching the wind, great job Pat.

[@CB-Phantom]

GOOD STUFF RIGHT HERE!!!

[@MrBren10mm]

Thanks Pat … will help a lot on my stealth hikes to some of my favorite fly fishing spots

[@JCthaRevolutionary]

Love the Content Mac… they should teach these things in Middle school. Survival Skills. 🔥

[@mattberg916]

Agreed! Instead they want to teach lies about bullshit other than man and woman

[@user-Chris89]

Ty for showing this

[@John-ro3vu]

These videos rock thanks Pat

[@BLBL-nk4jh]

Thanks for taking the time Pat you fucking rock bro!!!😎😎🤘🤘

[@evachier]

Wow, amazing technique. Thanks for sharing.

[@moakley]

When you fan the fire is it called Dakota Fanning?

[@jed9615]

Great video, great fire! My dirt here in Tn is not that kind! LOL, clay, rocks, roots, It takes a while to getter done! Keep walking with our KING!

[@mistermusik]

Dakota Fire - it keeps the blaze alive. 😎

[@Poppaswine33]

Yea that one was damn near perfect 👌

[@yoho1021]

Had a ranger who was monitoring us cadets (not in the regiment) built in night land nav - couldn’t see him until on top of him - freaky how little light this type of fire gives off

[@lokiprepper]

Dang, that’s cool. I mean.. not literally, because it’s fire, but I’m definitely trying this out this weekend.

[@DavyLaStrange]

Good job Pat.

[@suntzu5836]

Is Lighter Knot the same thing as Fat Wood? Resinous Pine?

[@montyrowland6765]

Yes

[@QuintinMassey]

I challenge y’all to build one of those fancy Dakota fires here in northern Virginia where the ground and surrounding greenery is absolutely quenched.

[@physicalstarfighter2131]

Good tip

[@dalehenry4694]

Great information Pat,rockon🤘🇺🇸...

[@handsofstone1887]

Very cool!

[@boomshakalaka7396]

What kind of shovel is that? Looks awesome

[@hiramhaji7813]

Great video

[@Skylyned]

Crazy how different the soil is in 20-30 miles. Nothing but orange clay around Raleigh

[@veliborrodic5803]

Great,throw also some coutertracking tips-tracking,Pat.

[@icescrew1]

Mote backcountry coolness

[@DataGeek903]

i use to make a trench fire in scouts. Put a thick steel cover on it and voila... both an oven and a hotplate.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

Dropping life saving information on a regular basis. Patmac is a great American.

[@ChipSpencer123]

What is the fire starter? Thanks for the refresher on materials to fuel the fire.

[@echo53226]

Rock-n-roll!

[@stansdad1]

Fire. Basic dude stuff.🤘🏻

[@ernestharris3841]

Excellent video! I wish this Alabama clay was easy to work is that soil back in “pineland” godspeed

[@bigdog5405]

Where you get that tick shovel ?

[@mosin9105]

Cool

[@Blackcloud_Garage]

Great content sir. Quick question, what is that cool E-tool you have and where can I get one? Thanks.

[@DO-gl4rh]

Morning 🔥

[@nateanderson6328]

That's a long shadow for North to be at you back😁 just giving you shit... Great video though!

[@patmcnamara]

this was filmed in the winter

[@nateanderson6328]

@@patmcnamara makes sense... You were wearing a jacket. Im not that observant.😉 Love the videos brother keep'em coming!

[@jamesschmidlin789]

*MORNING PAT*

[@hiota45]

I assume you could use another flat rock or something else as a damper for air hole to control the fire intensity? Or will this disrupt the draw too much? Would it make sense to pile a circle of dirt on the perimeter of the fire hole to create a chimney effect?

[@apexkech]

Mom I learned something new today. No it's not a new game it's a real skill I promise please believe me.

[@LOWKEYDANGER]

Get in there SAND!!!! 😆

[@MMASulu]

The Texas Rangers used this to avoid detection from the Apaches while camping

[@corynorell3686]

If the wind was swirling, could you dig two wind assist holes?

[@harpjason208]

Once you use an upside down fire you won't go back. Takes a few minutes to build and you don't have to do a thing for an hour after lighting it.

[@meidamx]

Get some.

[@bubbajones1035]

What is the name of the shovel/axe you have.

[@mikefranklin1253]

We never had a name for it but used them for 50 years. It was just called the trench.

[@bigred06100]

Who makes that E-Tool

[@scottwagner3694]

What brand of E tool is that?

[@kinkead4]

🤟

[@willallen3058]

You filmed this at, or close to 12:30?

[@BG5388]

Where can someone get that e-tool?

[@Hunter-eh4pz]

Dry terrain only, otherwise youll get a bowl of water.

[@drunknnirish]

Anyone know what hat Mac is wearing? I need a new hat and I hate ones covered in logos.

[@anno.nym.faceless]

Making fire, thats basic dude stuff! Will try this soon this summer, perhaps even to cook some meat on there.

[@fingal113]

pro tip. if you are a Russian solder sent to hold Chernobyl, don't dig a Dakota fire in the yellow forest.

[@DFOOSKING]

South Dakota is mostly farmland and prairie. Rich black soil. As well as areas of thick clay (areas not used for farming). The vast majority of Dakotans have NEVER seen or made a Dakota Fire. Not even natives....

[@hedgehoginthefog8153]

Just from experience, make sure to learn how to shoot your vids while avoiding catching camera's shadow.

[@MikeHunt-rw4gf]

Algorithm.

[@getoutside2854]

Building a Dakota fire hole for your lovely wife..... basic dude stuff.