Paula R. is a 21-year-old avid hiker from Seattle.
One weekend she went hiking in the Snoqualmie Pass area of the Cascade Mountains.
During the hike, she left the trail, became disoriented on the trail, and couldn’t find her way back.
She spent three nights surviving the cold weather.
Search and rescue crews started searching for Paula around 7 P.M. after her family reported her missing.
Crews had a relatively good idea where to start their search because Paula had posted a photo while hiking near Snoqualmie Pass.
“We had over 16 teams of search and rescue folks out there today looking for Paula,” said a King County sheriff’s detective.
After three days of searching, a helicopter crew spotted Paula about six miles from where she started.
They were able to lift Paula and her two dogs to safety.
Paula was reunited with her family and transported to a local hospital to be checked out.
She had scratches all over her arms from falling but was otherwise healthy.
According to officials, Paula survived the three days by eating mushrooms and tree bark.
She had beef jerky with her that she used to feed her dogs.
Most importantly, she survived the cold temperatures by building a fire.
As this story demonstrates, building a fire can literally save your life – even in the most desperate situations.
And with winter at hand, there you need to be ready to build a fire for warmth and cooking in case of emergency.
Building a fire in the great outdoors is one thing, but if you are at home there is also the option of using a smokeless fire pit.
A smokeless fire pit is an outdoor fire pit that burns wood or pellets.
The fire pit is specifically designed to make little or no smoke from a fire built in it.
As you’ll see, these types of fire pits are more than just a nifty gadget for the backyard.
Now, here are a few of the benefits and drawbacks of a smokeless fire pit.
Low visibility:
One of the problems with a traditional fire is that it can be seen from miles away and can easily give away your position.
During a crisis such as civil unrest, or a disaster you may not want others to know where you are.
You don’t want looters to know that you have a fire for warmth and cooking since it could make your house a target.
Less smoke means you will be harder to see.
Efficiency:
Smokeless fire pits are designed using a double burn system.
The fire pit pulls air through vents, then re-ignites the smoke particles and burns them off.
This means you get more.
During a disaster, using a smokeless fire pit, you will get more heat output from less wood or pellets compared to a traditional fire.
Controlled burn:
Building a fire in the wilderness can save your life, but the fire could be less controlled.
However, a smokeless fire pit will contain the fire and provide a stable surface for cooking.
You can use the firepit to cook, boil water, and even sterilize items over the flame.
And there is less risk of sparks or embers getting out of control.
Plus, since the fire burns cleaner it creates less soot and smoke so it is less likely to affect those who might have breathing issues.
Drawbacks to a smokeless fire pit:
Constant fuel:
One of the main drawbacks to a smokeless fire pit is that it requires small, consistent fuel.
Smokeless fire pits burn hot and clean and work best with small wood pieces.
In fact, if the wood is too big it will block the air vents and make the fire less efficient.
Hard to keep going:
A smokeless fire pit needs airflow to stay going. If there is rain, wind, or snow it can be challenging to keep the fire pit going.
This is why you should always carry fire starters to help light it in bad weather.
Just remember to keep the air vents clear so the air continues to flow.
Limited heat:
The design of smokeless fire pits makes them burn very hot.
The problem is that most of the heat goes straight up, which is great for cooking on the smokeless fire pit.
Yet, because the heat goes up and not outward, you must be very close to the fire pit to warm up.
So, if you have ever considered a smokeless fire pit one of the most popular options is the Solo Stove.
The Solo Stove is known for its smokeless performance.
Another good option is the Breeo X Series, which is durable and has a double-wall design for the smokeless fire.
A third option is the Adventuridge Tabletop Smokeless Fire Pit.
Keep in mind that while a smokeless fire pit can be a great tool for home survival, you must still be prepared to build a fire in the wild.
