How do the smoke flaps work on a tipi?

Both of the smoke flaps have a pocket for the tip of a tipi pole to fit into. These poles may be moved around the edge of the tipi on the outside. This moves the smoke flaps into a position that will enhance airflow up and out of the tipi. You will want to adjust the smoke flaps so that the wind is not blowing into the smoke flap opening of your tipi. So if the wind is coming from the back of your tipi, the smoke flaps and tips of the poles in them should be set so your smoke flaps are open in the same direction as the door. If the wind is coming from the side of the tipi, the flaps should be adjusted to the right or the left so that the wind slides over the flaps instead of directly into the smoke hole.