You called?Try different fire lays, experiment, see what works for you. And if you really want to learn just how small a fire you can get away with, go camping with an Aussie...
J
I was lucky enough to spend most of my bushwalking days back when fires were allowed. However, as a country lad who had grown up fighting bushfires, I was also damn careful!
I think it is the prevalence of dry wood that allows for very small fires. If your wood is bone try, you can cook a whole meal on a couple of foot-long sticks. Friends who spent a lot of time in Africa say that the locals usually build 3 stick fires.
When the wood is damp, you need a bigger fire to keep drying out wood.
You want to stay warm from fire? Get a kelly kettle, a hot water bottle and a sleeping bag.