All survival guides
Wilderness & Navigation
Fire Without Matches
Fire gives warmth, safe water, signaling, and morale. Prepare your materials before you make a spark.
What to do
- 1Gather tinder (dry grass, birch bark, char cloth), kindling (pencil-sized), and fuel (wrist-sized) before starting.
- 2Build a tinder nest; protect it from wind and damp ground.
- 3Spark with a ferro rod, lighter, or magnifying lens; for friction methods, expect hard work.
- 4Feed small to large; don't smother a young flame.
- 5Keep a safe ring, never leave it unattended, and drown-stir-drown to put it out.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping tinder/kindling prep
- Using wet or green wood
- Building on peat or near a tent
Good to know
- Cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly catch a spark instantly and burn for minutes.
Continue here — more Wilderness & Navigation