When I am with a group of people in the winter I prefer to build a long fire. For me, it is a versatile, multi-purpose fire lay. Not only can you warm several people at once, but it makes for a great cooking platform. Hot fluids and food are both important in a cold weather environment. Need to keep the furnace in your body fueled. Here is the vid.
This shows the 4'-5' logs used to contain the bulk of the fire. The arrow on the ground shows the wind direction.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_A...ng%20fire1.JPG
There is a piece of bark in between the base logs to keep the shavings off of the ground. The split prep is also off of the ground due to frost and snow. Your fire should be totally prepped before ever striking a match.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_A...20fire%202.JPG
The ends of the logs can be flattened. This makes it easier to cook and melt snow.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_A...20fire%203.JPG
When starting the fire use the wind to your advantage.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_A...20fire%204.JPG
The completed long fire with water on for tea.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_A...0/DSCN0811.JPG