[1] http://ruralsportsman.com/rediscover-the-baker-tent/ [2] https://www.surviveoutdoorslonger.com/survive-outdoors-longe...
It's quite possible the author and I have different ideas of what a small backpacking fire looks like.
I use a layer of thicker branches about 3" in diameter first, then I use smaller diameter sticks in layers on top of that. When you light that off the smaller sticks burn down and create a bed of coals on the first layer that keep fuel burning as it's added.
By design that burns low and slow. I'm also burning deadfall from hardwoods, Oak and Hickory by choice, and because that's what's growing in our forest here.
The shitty fireplace in my piss poor excuse of an 80s designed house. It's almost as if it was included as a check mark in a real estate listing rather than how to make it useful.
Oh, I have plenty of those too! Luckily, in my neck of the woods, winters are more of rare occurrence. We typically only have extra summer followed by late fall before spring arrives.