Buy firewood for use in your camp stove. Some areas have laws in place protecting the trees and surrounding foliage, meaning you cannot chop down trees or transport firewood across county or state lines unless you want to face jail time or a fine. Look for firewood left behind by other campers as well.
Clean your camp stove before and after each trip. After the trip, you want to remove any leftover traces of food or dirt that may have fallen into the stove. Before each trip, cleaning removes dust or dirt buildup.
Set the wood stove in the center of your campsite on level ground, arranging the tents and other equipment a safe distance away from the stove, typically 5 feet or more. This reduces the chances of a stray ember causing a fire or you stumbling into the stove when you wake up in the morning.
Use your camp stove on top of a table, especially if you're using one of the smaller varieties. Camping stoves are dangerous when not used properly. A sturdy or stable table provides a level surface for cooking and keeps the stove from tipping over.
Put the fire out each night before the last person falls asleep. Douse the flames with water, or wait until the embers die out. Do not keep the fire going, unless someone stays awake to watch over it. It's far too easy for flames or embers from the camp stove to escape and cause a fire.
