A fireplace is important, not only does it add to the camping experience it will be an efficient and fun way to cook, keep warm and heat water to wash dishes and bodies. To make the fireplace do as intended its sometime necessary to block the flames from the wind. There are many commercial shields you can buy but we have found that almost anything will do...an old piece of plywood, some rocks or even some flattened cardboard...of course you will need to keep anything inflamable well back.