How do you hide a fire?

I wonder why we didn't learn this when I went through survival school. I would consider this to be one of the most important aspects of fire building.

 

Yep, a shame Dakota holes were not taught. They are the hottest, quickest, and easiest to hide(if that is possible) from IR detection. Solar ovens have captured my attention and work flawlessly as long as there is sun. A few small pieces of cardboard and foil will produce quite a bit of heat.

 

Great pics! Illustrates the Dakota pit well.

 

Judging by how the smell of a BBQ'ing a steak makes me drool; smell travels also. In a survival situation, everything you do uses up fuel; digging a Dakota included.

During the Vietnam war, the Army experimented with "people sniffing." The system detects concentrations of ammonia and carbon.

According to the article; the system worked.

 

Long before FLIR existed, fires were a no no.

 

I don't want to sound like a smart-ass....hide it under water....nobody will find it.

 

Great post sniper. This is the basic premise that the 'rocket stove' works on. They'll smoke some when you first start them up but you can get a very hot fire going with little to no smoke. Food smells do travel verrrry far and quite quickly. So if you're trying to avoid detection by a known force in your AO, best to skip any open or cooking fire.

As an alternative, I always have aluminum foil with me when I'm out in the woods. I love to bake with fire heated rocks buried underground. You can let your food cool sufficiently and there will be less smell to travel when you open it. Yes this still requires a small hot fire. The Dakota Hole would be ideal me thinks...

Byte

 

Smart idea. Will have to try that out soon.

From an old vet, be safe as you can, return in one piece. give them hell

God Bless Texas!!