Matchless Campfires

With drought conditions and wildfires already consuming homes and forests in 10 states, it's clear that campfires are inadvisable this year. Instead, consider singing around these matchless alternatives:

--Cartridge fuel stoves that sit atop compressed butane or spillproof butane-blend canisters. They produce a hot, clean-burning flame — though the canisters are not recyclable. MSR makes a lightweight, match-free model called the SuperFly.

--If you're driving to the campground, the Coleman grill you use for tailgate parties can also be used for campground cooking. The compact Coleman Propane Grill Stove starts with electronic ignition.

--If all you crave is a hot meal, you can abandon the stove altogether. Hot Pack Self-Heating Meals are used by emergency personnel and hard-core campers. After the sealed meal is placed in a pouch, water (of any temperature) is added, and in 12 minutes, through the magic of magnesium and oxygen, the food is piping hot. The meals, in such flavors as Chicken and Vegetable Casserole and Rotini Bolognese, come with a napkin.