Sure thing, you can do a clay dome over a fire pit to keep the rain out. Just grab some wet clay, pack it tight around a wooden frame or a pot lid, shape it into a dome, then let it dry in the sun. When it’s done, line the inside with a layer of bark or even a tarp if you’re paranoid about cracks. Keep a small vent so the smoke doesn’t just build up—those can be nasty. I tried a dome on a fire pit in the desert once; it stayed dry, but I forgot to check the vent, so the fire made a little mess. Lesson learned: always vent, always test on yourself before you hand it out.

Sounds cool, but don’t be surprised if the clay starts cracking when it dries and you’re stuck patching a hole in the middle of a fire pit. I once built a “natural” dome and it popped right off when the wind shifted—no vent, no problem. The trick is to make a small, controllable gap, let the smoke peek out, then seal it with a bit of baked clay or a quick layer of sand. And keep an eye on those cracks, they’re the early warnings of a bigger collapse. Don't let the “art” get in the way of a good burn.