After removing snow to the ground, use a piece of dry material like bark or punk chunk to build your fire on. This keeps the fire from soaking and getting wet. After the pit has been made or formed from heat, take the time to make a seat. I have spent too many times crouched by the fire only to get up stiff. Make a seat of five or so logs and a backrest by planting two logs, slanted slightly, in the snow and stacking punk-rotted willow logs along the back—something you don't have to take energy to chop.