The Smokeless Campfire
First, you need to build a campfire ring that has been designed with oxygen flow in mind.
Please review the video to see the best possible configuration to make your campfire more efficient. Of course, there is no such thing as a truly smokeless campfire, but if you use the backstop campfire ring design, the smoke will all go in one direction.
This will enable you to sit away from the smoke without sacrificing the warmth and easy cooking access that comes from being directly next to a campfire.
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Use Water to Start a Fire?
Yes, it seems ridiculous, but even a water bottle, filled with water, can be used to start a fire in an emergency.
The best type of bottle for this method is a completely smooth, completely clear, refillable bottle such as a Nalgene. Disposable bottles can work also, but typically these bottles are covered with ridges and designs to give the thin plastic more strength. Remove any labels first, of course.
Hold the bottle up on its side, and use it as a lens to focus sunlight on your tinder. Paper works well in this situation, especially black or dark colored paper. The water bottle will not be as effective as a magnifying glass, but you’ll see your tinder start to smoke in just a few seconds.