I guess I'm just not as "spiritual" with camp fire's as some.  I have no burning beads or magic moments around a fire.  (Except my house fire in 2002 - I remember that one)

I would wager that the same people who leave TP, garbage and green wood around their site are the same folks who build the backyard Bar-B-Q's.

We used to cook over the fire but never again (well, maybe a baked trout once per trip).  I don't know how to meaasure the amount of wood we burn but it is minimal; perhaps one good arm-load a night?  We do tweek the fire-pit though.  (And remove the impromptu rock rings if any)  Some that we "made" on Jean and Kasa are still there from the early 90's.  Get the higher side facing NW and the open side to the SW with a little air channel on each side = long burn, smoke going up and good heat.