1. Understand the fire
Start with fuel, air, heat, moisture and the difference between flame and a mature coal bed. These principles explain why some fires burn cleanly and predictably while others smoke and smoulder.
Fire, Fuel & Live Cooking · Handbook
The Apollo Fire Handbook: From Fuel to Final Ember
Use this handbook when the project involves more than choosing a fire feature. It follows the whole cycle from fuel preparation and site conditions through ignition, heat management, cooking or gathering, fire-weather decisions and final ash disposal.
Planning guidance — final supplied configuration remains project-specific.
2. Prepare the fuel
Use clean, dry, untreated firewood appropriate to the product. Split and store it for airflow, and use moisture measurement when consistency matters.
3. Read the day
Check local burn restrictions, fire-weather alerts, wind, dry vegetation and site conditions before ignition. The decision to postpone a fire is part of competent fire management.
4. Manage the use
Build only the fire needed for the job. Keep supervision continuous, protect circulation, manage smoke and use the heat zones of the cooker or fire feature rather than feeding flame for spectacle.
5. Finish completely
Allow fuel to burn down in a controlled way, follow the product instructions for extinguishing and treat ash as potentially hot until verified cold.
Reference sources
Official guidance behind this resource.
Use these sources alongside the exact product instructions and the rules that apply at the project location.
U.S. EPA · Burn Wise archiveBackyard Recreational FiresOpen source U.S. EPA · Burn Wise archiveFacts, Health & Safety Tips for Wood BurningOpen source NFPAEducational Messages Desk Reference · Outdoor Fire & Wildfire SafetyOpen source National Weather ServiceUnderstanding Wildfire Warnings, Watches and BehaviorOpen source National Interagency Fire CenterPrepare and Protect Your HomeOpen source California Board of Forestry & Fire ProtectionDefensible Space Zones 0, 1 and 2Open source
Reference this resource
Use the permanent Apollo page when sharing or citing this guide.
Link to the live page rather than a saved copy so readers reach the current Apollo planning resource and its latest product and planning links.
Permanent guide URL
apollonzglobal.com/knowledge-centre/fire-fuel-live-cooking/fire-knowledge-handbookMove from knowledge to project