Fire provides warmth, light, cooking ability, and comfort.
In survival situations, fire also boosts morale and can signal for rescue.
Always carry more than one method to start a fire.
Ferro Rod
A ferrocerium rod creates hot sparks even in wet weather.
Scrape firmly with the spine of a knife or striker.
- Works when wet
- Lasts thousands of strikes
- Pair with dry tinder
Lighters & Matches
Simple and reliable but can fail if wet or empty.
- Carry waterproof matches
- Windproof lighters are best
- Store in sealed container
Natural Fire Methods
Primitive methods require practice but are valuable backup skills.
- Bow Drill
- Hand Drill
- Flint & Steel
- Solar (magnifying glass)
Tinder & Kindling
Tinder catches the spark. Kindling grows the flame.
- Birch bark
- Dry grass
- Cotton with petroleum jelly
- Feather sticks
Fire Lay Structures
How you stack wood affects burn time and heat.
- Teepee – Fast ignition
- Log Cabin – Long burn
- Lean-To – Wind protection
Wet Weather Fire Tips
- Split wood to find dry interior
- Use bark as moisture shield
- Build platform off wet ground
- Keep tinder in waterproof bag