3114: Building a Fire

2025-07-11T19:38:43Z

2601:647:8500:1E09:1077:EF9:1351:C331: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 3114
| date = July 11, 2025
| title = Building a Fire
| image = building_a_fire_2x.png
| imagesize = 671x311px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = That was quicker than usual! The cabin's sprinkler system often makes it really hard to keep anything lit.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created recently. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

Megan is demonstrating to Cueball how to build a fire. Instead of using a traditional log cabin [https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/outdoor-survival/the-6-fire-lays-every-man-should-know/ fire lay] she demonstrates building a miniature log cabin. A fire lay is a way to lay out the different fuels in a campfire to ensure successful progression of the fire from easy to light but fast-burning tinder and kindling to successively larger fuels including larger branches, split logs, and even full un-hewn logs.

At first, the build is an unusual, slightly overdetailed, replica of a log cabin with the different fuel woods crafted into the walls and miniature furniture in the tiny dwelling. Things take a twist when she adds mechanical and electrical components to the house, as the materials for plumbing and electrical wiring would not be included in a normal fire build. A fault in the installed wiring initiates a fire, leading to the promised campfire.

The joke in the title text is that she usually spends more time and also installs a {{w|fire sprinkler system}}. When working properly, this will quickly put out the fire. However, this goes against her goal of making a fire.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[A tent in a field stands in the background as Cueball stands to the right of the frame and behind Megan, who is kneeling and arranging sticks into the first few layers of a small log cabin.]

Cueball: Can you show me how to build a campfire?

Megan: Sure! We'll use the log cabin method. First we build a square cabin out of sticks.

[Cueball now stands to the right of frame, opposite Megan with the cabin between them. The cabin has gotten taller and is becoming better defined. Megan holds a tiny table in one hand and tiny chair in the other.]

Megan: Next, We'll add interior walls, doors, and some cabin furniture made from twigs.

Cueball: This is very elaborate.

[The cabin now has a gable roof and an electrical wire leads from the base of the cabin to a coil of wire in Megan's hand and then off panel to the left. Lightning symbols above the wire indicate the wire is energized and perhaps shorting out.]

Megan: Now we'll add some rudimentary plumbing and electrical wiring. 50 Amps, nothing fancy.

Cueball: It kind of seems like you're just building a cabin.

Megan: I just - Oops.

[The tiny log cabin is engulfed in flames. Cueball is leaning away from the cabin and holding his hand to shield his face from the heat.]

Megan: I think my wiring wasn't up to code

Cueball: AAAAA!!

Megan: ... and that's how you build a fire!

[Caption below the comic:]

That was quicker than usual! The cabin's sprinkler system often makes it really hard to keep anything lit.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

Talk:3114: Building a Fire

2025-07-11T19:38:00Z

2601:647:8500:1E09:1077:EF9:1351:C331:

[[1258:_First |First]], I guess. [[User:B_for_brain|B for brain]] ([[User_talk:B_for_brain|talk]]) ([https://www.youtube.com/@bforbrain youtube channel] [https://bforbrain.weebly.com/ wobsite (supposed to be a blag)]) 17:55, 11 July 2025 (UTC)

US households typically have a 100-amp or 200-amp service, so a 50-amp build seems appropriate for a this log cabin as it echoes a vacation cabin or off-grid build.

Uh oh, the miniature fire department has arrived! [[Special:Contributions/2601:647:8500:1E09:1077:EF9:1351:C331|2601:647:8500:1E09:1077:EF9:1351:C331]] 19:38, 11 July 2025 (UTC)

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

3114: Building a Fire

Talk:3114: Building a Fire