At different places and events, you need to know what kind of fire is allowed, ... Some sites will not let you dig holes for pit fires, others want only pit fires for safety reasons. If you're using a rack, make sure it's steady, and allow plenty of time for cooking.
Be careful of your long dress, ... Make sure you don't get your shirt into the fire. More laundresses of the period died from their clothing catching on fire and cuts from chopping wood for their fires than any other thing.