Arrange kindling (small diameter sticks) in a crisscross pattern on top of crumpled newspaper under the grate before arranging the logs. Arrange logs in a safe way to ensure that logs don’t roll out during burning. Note that the first few fires you build in your wood-burning fireplace should be small to help avoid excess cracking or spidering in the refractory. NOTE: Do not over fill your fireplace, as this will cause unsafe operation.