Table

of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................3
You Need Fire.............................................................................................................3
Dont Be Caught Unprepared.....................................................................................3
Chapter 1: Fire Is Life.....................................................................................................5
The Soft World of Today.............................................................................................5
Be Safe and Share the Knowledge............................................................................5
Chapter 2: The Basic Principles of Fire.........................................................................7
The Fire Triangle.........................................................................................................7
How Much of Each?...................................................................................................7
Fire Safety..................................................................................................................7
Properly Extinguishing a Fire......................................................................................8
When You Dont Want a Fire......................................................................................8
Chapter 3: Choosing and Preparing a Site for Your Fire.............................................10
Important Considerations.........................................................................................10
Finding and Choosing Your Site...............................................................................10
What Should You Look for in a Site?........................................................................10
Preparing the Site.....................................................................................................11
Constructing a Fire Wall/Heat Reflector...................................................................12
The Old Fashioned Fire Ring...................................................................................12
A Fire Base in the Snow...........................................................................................12
The Dakota Fire Hole...............................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Materials for Building a Fire.......................................................................14
Tinder........................................................................................................................14
Kindling.....................................................................................................................16
Fuel...........................................................................................................................16
Commercial Products for Starting Fires...................................................................17
Matches and Lighters...............................................................................................17

Flint and Steel...........................................................................................................18

Magnesium Fire Stick...............................................................................................18
Fire Cubes and Commercial Tinder..........................................................................18
Power Pot.................................................................................................................18
Chapter 5: How to Build Your Fire Different Types of Fire........................................20
The Pyramid.............................................................................................................20
Lean-To.....................................................................................................................20
Cross-Ditch...............................................................................................................20
Teepee......................................................................................................................21
Swedish Fire Torch, or the Canadian Candle...........................................................21
Rescue Fire..............................................................................................................22
Are You Ready?........................................................................................................22
Chapter 6: How to Light the Fire and Keep It Going....................................................24
Using the Bow and Drill............................................................................................24
Flint and Steel...........................................................................................................25
Fire Plow...................................................................................................................26
Bullets, Batteries, and Binoculars.............................................................................26
Building a Fire in the Rain........................................................................................26
Conclusion....................................................................................................................28
Sources:.......................................................................................................................29

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Introduction
When you are lost in the wild, you are on the run from enemy forces, or you are simply
trying to get a fire started in your cabin in the middle of winter when you have very little
materials on hand, fire starting knowledge is very important.
In fact, it is essential for your survival.

You Need Fire

It helps keep you warm, keeps away predators, and cooks your food. Without it,
chances are you will not last for very long. This is especially true during the cold
weather.
In this book, well go over every aspect of fire you will need to know when you are trying
to survive. Well start with the basic principles of fire, choosing a site and preparing it,
using the right materials and actually building and starting your fire.
We will cover the primitive aspects you need to know when it comes to starting a fire,
including the fire plow and the bow and drill technique. Well also cover some of the
different types of commercial products you will want to keep with you at home and in
your survival kits.

Dont Be Caught Unprepared

You need to know how to start a fire on your own when you have very little materials on
hand and when time is of the essence. It is vital for your survival and the survival of
those you hold dear.
Were saying this now, and well say it throughout the book, knowledge that you glean
from this volume is important. However, you need to take the knowledge and put it to
use in the real world so you know how to create fire from nothing. If you have only book
knowledge of how to do it and no actual practical knowledge, you will be at a
disadvantage. You may still be able to puzzle it out, but you will not have the confidence
of having done it before.
So, lets get to reading so you can then take what you learn and apply it in the great
outdoors!

Chapter 1: Fire Is Life

Quite often, your ability to survive in a given
situation depends entirely upon your ability to start
a fire. Without a fire, you could freeze. Without a
fire, you would not be able to cook or boil water.
Without a fire, you may not be able to signal rescue
in the event you are lost in the wilderness. Fire can
provide protection and act as a deterrent for wild
animals. As the title of the chapter states, fire is life when it comes to survival.
Of course, one of the other reasons that you will want to have a fire is one that many
people simply dont think about very often: the psychological factor. Fire is warm and
comforting. It provides a light in the darkness, figuratively and literally.
It chases away the shadows, and without it, most people who are trying to survive would
be simply hiding and huddling together for warmth through the night, just hoping that
they make it to another sunrise. One can never underestimate the psychological benefit
of having a fire, and even simply knowing that you have the skills and knowledge
necessary to do make one

The Soft World of Today

You are probably well aware that todays world is soft and doughy compared to the
world of a century ago. People today have very little in the way of survival skills that
translate to the real world. They dont know how to find water, they dont know how to
hunt, other than scrounging through the gourmet shelves of their local grocery store,
and they certainly do not know how to start a fire.
As important of a skill as fire starting is, in todays world most people have no idea of
how to build and start a fire unless they are in ideal conditions and have a lighter and
lighter fluid to help them. Of course, when you are starting a fire in a survival situation,
you arent exactly throwing a barbecue on the weekend for your friends. You are trying
to live another day. You are trying to make sure your family and friends are comfortable
and able to survive.

No matter where you might find yourself and no matter the conditions, you will have a
much better chance at surviving as long as you know how to build a fire.
This book aims to teach you the skills you need to understand fire, and to build fire
using a variety of different materials in a host of different situations. Our primitive
ancestors knew how to do it, and we might not be here right now if they didnt!
One of the things that are important to keep in mind is that starting a fire is not always
easy depending on the materials you have and where you are trying to start a fire, as
you will see in later chapters. It takes time and effort to build a proper fire. More than
that, it takes practice.
The information presented here will provide you with the knowledge you need to start a
fire with different tools and in different locales. However, you have to actually practice in
order to develop your skills and your confidence. This means that once you know and
understand the principles in this book, its time to put them into action.
Make sure that when you practice starting a fire that you are doing it in a safe location
and that you are being responsible. Also, make sure you have the means on hand
water or an extinguisher to put the fire out after it starts. The last thing you need to
have happen while you are learning to survive is to burn down half your neighborhood
or the trees behind your home.
Another thing to think about with fire is the fact that sometimes, you do not want it.
While this is rare, in situations where you are trying to avoid detection by the enemy,
you need to forego a fire if possible and if you dont need it for immediate survival.
There are some methods of concealing your fire, and they can work, as well. We will
discuss these later in the book.

Be Safe and Share the Knowledge

As with every aspect of a survival situation, you have to think several steps ahead and
have alternate plans in order to deal with anything that could happen. Be safe, learn
your skills, and pass them on to your family and friends.

The more people who have the knowledge needed to build a fire the better. You never
know what could happen when you are trying to survive.
Consider special operations and Special Forces in the military for a moment. Even
though each person in a unit will have a specialty, such as combat medic or radioman,
each person in that unit will have a basic understanding of the other persons job simply
so he can step into the other role in an emergency.
Now, translate that to yourself and your group. Even though each person in your group
of survivors might have a specialty, everyone should learn as much as possible to be as
helpful and effective as possible.
Imagine just how bad the following scenario could become. If you are the only person in
your group who knows how to start a fire, and you are ill or injured, what will happen to
the group and to you?
Chances are good that you might perish. The same would be true of water
procurement, hunting, farming, and every other aspect of short and long-term survival.
The more knowledge you have the better off you and your family, and anyone else in
your group, will be.
Everyone in your group should know how to start a fire, and everyone should practice
various techniques in a host of different conditions to make sure they are able to do it.
For example, learning how to find materials and start a fire even when it is damp outside
can be quite beneficial.
Learn from this book.
Share the knowledge.
Survive.

Chapter 2: The Basic Principles of Fire

Before you can build a fire, you need to make
sure that you understand the basic principles of
fire as well as what you need to start a fire first.

The Fire Triangle

In order for a fire to burn, it is going to need to
have three things, often called the fire triangle.
It needs:
! Fuel
! Oxygen
! Heat to reach the ignition temperature
Knowing that fire requires these three things in order to be able to burn helps you
understand the challenge that comes from building fires in various types of survival
situations. Even though it may be difficult to create fires in some locales and with some
fuels, there are methods to helping you get a fire up and burning.
When you apply heat to fuel, it will produce a gas that combines with oxygen and
ignites. Wood will need to heat to around 300 degrees Fahrenheit in order to burn. The
heat applied to the wood will then start to wear down the wood, which releases the gas.
The gas will then burn, which provides more heat, and then causes more gases to
release, thus keeping the fire burning.
If you were to take out any one of these elements, the fire would stop burning. For
example, when there is no more fuel, the fire goes out. If you do not have enough wood
for your fire, it will stop burning.

How Much of Each?

What is the correct ratio of these three different elements in order to keep a fire
burning?
The truth is that each type of fire is actually a bit different. The environmental conditions,
the location, and a host of other factors all come into play when it comes to building a

fire and keeping it going. Therefore, there are no fast and solid rules as to the ideal
ratios when it comes to the components you need. It is a matter of practicing in different
conditions to see just what you need to do in order to get the fire going and to keep it
going.

Fire Safety
When you are building a fire, site selection becomes very important, as we will see in
the next chapter. It can make a huge difference when it comes to safety.
If you start your fire in an area thats not clear of fuel sources, such as dead wood, low
hanging branches and dried moss, or if you make it too close to your shelter, there is a
chance that the flames could set your shelter or the surrounding forest ablaze.
Always know where your fire will go and look at the surrounding environment to make
sure it wont all catch on fire! You will want to use the same tips and tactics that you
would if you were simply building a campfire for your weekend camping trip as opposed
to a survival fire.
You need to be extremely cautious whenever you are building a fire for your physical
safety as well as the safety of the surrounding environment. Getting a burn, even a
relatively mild burn, when you are trying to survive in the wild could turn into a death
sentence.
Burns are painful, and they can make doing all of the other tasks you need to complete
for survival all but impossible. You should always err on the side of safety when it comes
to anything to do with surviving, particularly when it comes to starting and maintaining
fires.

Tips
! Keep the fire far enough away from your shelter so that it wont catch fire.
! Try to build a ring of rocks around the fire if your situation allows for it, as these
will help to prevent the inadvertent spread of the fire.
! Clear away the flammable forest debris, dried grasses, etc. from the area around
the fire at least five to ten feet. This ensures that there is less of a chance of a
spark igniting something on the ground.

! Consider putting the fire in a shallow pit.

! Never leave the fire unattended.
! Have a shovel and water on hand, just in case.
! Do not make the fire too large. It should only be as large as you need for warmth,
and cooking. You dont generally need something as large as a bonfire unless
you are constructing a rescue fire, which we will discuss later.

Safety in Practice
Whenever you are practicing starting fires for survival, you need to make sure that you
are doing so safely.
Make sure you are allowed to have a fire where you are practicing, and make sure you
have water and other extinguishing materials on hand, as well. Never leave the area
without properly extinguishing the fire, which you will learn how to do in the following
section.

Properly Extinguishing a Fire

Before we go into detail on how you can start fires in the later chapters, its important to
know how to extinguish a fire properly. This ensures your fires do not get out of hand,
and that you are being responsible.

Water
The ideal way to put a fire out is to wait for it to turn to ash and then pour water over the
ash. If you have the extra water, this is the best and most reliable method for making
sure the fire is out. Check to make sure there are no burning embers left.
However, keep in mind that when you use water to put out a fire, it causes a substantial
amount of smoke, even when you are down to naught but ashes. If you are trying to
stay hidden, this could be a detriment to your plans.

Dirt/Sand
An option to put out the fire with less smoke is to cover it in dirt or sand. This is where
having a small folding shovel can become quite handy. Mix the sand and/or dirt into the
ashes and keep turning them until they are well mixed.

You want to mix the ashes, embers and dirt to put out the fire you do not simply want
to bury the ashes and fire, as it can continue to smolder and burn. It could then catch
roots on fire, or other flammable material and turn into a wildfire. Keep on mixing that
dirt and the ashes until the area is cool and safe.

When You Dont Want a Fire

In some survival situations, even though a fire might make your day or night more
comfortable, it is not advisable to have one, at least not without the proper additional
precautions.
For example, if there are enemies in the area who would want to take the items you
have or who would want to harm you and your group, having a fire could be a very bad
idea. They could detect the smoke from the fire, particularly in the daytime. As evening
sets in, there is a chance they could detect the light from the fire and then go to
investigate.
Keep in mind that people use more than just their eyes when they are hunting for you.
They can sniff you out as well if you have a fire. The scent of a fire travels through the
woods for quite a distance, so make sure you are aware of the wind direction and the
direction of the enemy. Even though they may still be able to smell it, this could make it
a bit more difficult for them to track down.
Of course, this does not apply to all survival situations. However, if it does apply to you
at the time, you need to be able to weigh the pros and cons of starting a fire to
determine if it is worth it and if you really need it to survive the night or if it is just a
matter of additional comfort.
If you are worried about keeping hidden, but you still need a fire for cooking and for a bit
of warmth, consider using the Dakota Fire Hole method, which we discuss in the next
chapter.

Chapter 3: Choosing and Preparing a Site for Your Fire

Now that you have a better idea of the
basic principles of what makes a fire,
some fires safety basics, and how to
extinguish a fire, its time to learn how
to find and prepare a spot for your
fire.
Well look at the ideal places to set up
your fire. Of course, when you are
moving through the wilderness and
simply trying to survive the night, you might not be able to set up the ideal space for
your fire. Thats understandable.
When you are getting ready to start your fire, you need to consider your situation and a
variety of other factors, as well.

Important Considerations
Lets examine some of the things that you need to think about nearly every single time
you build a fire in a survival situation.
! What is the geographic location like? What are the terrain and the climate like?
Are you in the forest or a desert area? Is it winter or is it raining? Each of these
factors will affect the site you use for your fire, as well as your chances of
success when it comes to building a fire.
! Akin to the first consideration, youll have to consider what types of tools and
materials are available for building the fire. Do you have everything you need for
the fire? Will you be able to access the material in the environment?
! How essential is the fire to your survival right now? Is it the most important
element of your survival or should you be doing something else right now, such
as gathering water or constructing a shelter?
! How much time do you have to start the fire? Are you on the run from bandits
and thieves right now and trying to get to a safe place? Are you fighting against

the encroaching darkness and trying to light a fire? What does the ticking clock
look like in your situation?
! Where is the enemy? Again, this will not apply to every survival situation, but
dealing with the enemy is one of the elements that members of the military have
to consider in survival situations. It may actually apply to you, as well, so it is
something you will want to consider.
! Do you need fire to ward off threatening local wildlife? Fire can act as a great
deterrent for large predators such as mountain lions and bears.
! What about rescue? In some cases, those who are in the wilderness and who
are starting survival fires will want to have fires to help rescue personnel find
them. In those survival cases, you will actually want people to be able to spot
your fires.
Before you can choose or start preparing a site for your fire, you need to consider all of
those above elements. This lets you know where you stand in terms of getting a fire
going.

Finding and Choosing Your Site

You want to find the best spot for starting and burning your fire. For example, you want
to find a dry area and dry materials so you arent trying to fight against moisture in your
fire building efforts. Of course, if it has been raining for several days, then you have to
find the area that is the most idyllic given your situation.
This is where many people who are trying to learn to survive have trouble. They read
the books and watch videos, and feel there is a specific formula for every situation and
thats just not how real survival is.
You learn the different techniques and tactics, and then it is up to you to put them
together in each different situation so they work. Sometimes, the tactic you first try will
not work, and you will have to try something else. Every survival scenario is a puzzle,
and you need to be willing and able to adapt if you actually want to survive.
The key is to keep learning as much as possible and to practice as much as possible so
you can adapt.

What Should You Look for in a Site?

You may not be able to find all of the following, thus the need to improvise and adapt.
However, these are the things to look for when you are trying to come up with a suitable
fire site.

It Should Be Dry
Dry spots are ideal, as the material you will use for the fire will be able to catch more
easily. If it has been raining, you have a few options. You can look for places such as
abandoned barns and homes, or you could head a bit deeper into the woods to find
areas with thicker canopies.
These thicker canopies tend to keep the forest floor a bit drier. This means that you may
have an easier time of finding material with a little less moisture in it, which should make
starting the fire easier for you. Even a little moisture can put a damper no pun
intended on your plans though.
If you are in an area where everything is simply wet, it can certainly make it more
difficult to start a fire. A little preparation though can go a long way in helping you. Well
discuss proper preparation for fire building in the next chapter.

Does the Site Have Fire Materials Ready to Go?

Ideally, the space you choose for your fire will also have the materials you need to start
a fire on hand. This includes the tinder, kindling, and the actual fuel, or larger pieces of
wood that will keep the fire going.
Naturally, you will not always be able to choose a location that has these materials.
Sometimes, you have a location thats far less than perfect, such as halfway up a
mountain with barren rock on one side and some scrub grass on the other. As always,
you have to use what you can find to make the best of the situation.
Preparedness and knowledge of your surroundings is a key to this. Again, well go over
this later in the book.

Out of the Wind

Protection from the wind is important, as well. Too much wind can make it difficult to
start a fire and keep it going. It can also blow embers out of the fire and into the woods,
which can start a wild fire. If you cant find a spot that is suitably out of the wind, you
may want to try to dig a small pit to get the fire below the wind. This can also slightly
reduce how visible the fire is from a distance.

It Should Fit Your Type of Fire

What does this mean? What is your type of fire?
In survival, you may need a fire for several different reasons, and the site you choose,
and the size of the fire, will likely be different for each of them.
! You might need a smaller fire and thus a smaller site and fewer materials for a
fire that you use for cooking and keeping warm.
! You would need a larger and open space for a fire meant to act as a signal to
rescuers.
! You would want to choose a site in an area that offers protection on multiple
sides if you are trying to keep your smoke and light hidden from enemies.
Think about your type of fire and use common sense in choosing the best site to start
building it.

Preparing the Site

When you find a suitable location, you will still need to get it ready. This includes
scraping away the flammable material from around the area where you will be starting
the fire. Again, safety is always important.
Clearing away the forest litter on the ground is essential, but you also have to think
about what will be above your fires flames. Dont start the fire too close to a tree with
low hanging branches, or else they could catch fire.
Remove those branches and actually use them as your kindling or fuel depending on
their size.
Once you have a space set up, you can construct the base for your fire. You have quite
a few options.

Constructing a Fire Wall/Heat Reflector

If you have the time, you can create a fire wall using rocks or logs, or you can choose a
location that has a natural fire wall, such as part of a cliff or cave wall. This is a good
method to use when it is particularly cold out, as it will help to reflect the heat from the
wall and back at you, making it easier to keep warm.
You can build up an L-shaped rock wall or a straight rock wall if you have enough rocks
available. The wall can be just a couple of feet high, and it will do a good job of
maximizing the heat potential of your fire.
Alternately, you can use logs and wood to build up a reflector wall. However, you run a
bit of a risk when you do that. If you use the same fire wall for a long time, that wood,
even green wood, will tend to dry out quite a bit. This means that you could run the risk
of your reflector wall actually catching fire because of a spark.
Beware if you use wood. If you do, consider switching out the wood whenever you have
the time so it does not get too dry and flammable.

The Old Fashioned Fire Ring

This type of fire ring is the same one youve been using, or at least seeing, with
traditional campfires through the years. Take several large stones and create a ring,
with the center point of the ring being where you will build the fire. Its easy, and it keeps
the fire contained, even when the wood begins to break down and the fire falls.
Another great thing about this is that you can heat up the rocks and use them under the
pillow or in the sleeping bag for a bit of added warmth if needed. Just make sure you
have a method of getting the stones out of the fire without burning yourself, and never
let them contact your skin directly.
While rocks are a great option for this type of ring, you might find that you dont have
any available. In that case, try to use a shovel or a stick as a means to build up a small
ring of dirt around where the fire will
be. It will serve a similar purpose of
keeping the fuel confined to the space
as the fire burns and breaks it down.

A Fire Base in the Snow

Sometimes, you may need to start a fire in the snow, and few things can be more
challenging. Many military survival classes tend to hold training in inclement weather.
They have cold weather survival classes just to show members some of the things that
they need to do in order to make it through a frigid night in the wilds.
One of the most important skills to learn is to build a base for the fire in the snow. It is
actually not too difficult to do.
You can use green wood, which doesnt burn well, for the base. Take several logs or
sticks and lay them down parallel to one another. Add a second layer and lay them
horizontally over the first. Create at least two more layers of the same pattern.
You could use stones for building up a base, as well, but it is generally easier to find
green wood, such as evergreen for this purpose.
If you do use evergreen, you will likely want to strip away any of the needles first,
otherwise, your fire will put off a substantial amount of smoke, and it can actually be
difficult to get close enough to the fire to keep warm without choking on the smoke!

The Dakota Fire Hole

The Dakota Fire Hole is a great option for many different survival situations when you
need to have a fire and you want to conceal your location as much as possible. It also
happens to be relatively easy to build, and works well when you have only a small
amount of fuel for the fire.

Step #1
To build up this setup, you will want to start by digging a hole in the ground. This hold
needs to be just large enough to fit your fire making materials and to let you get your
hands down and into the hole to start the fire.
Its a good idea to build this fire relatively close to a tree or at least to make sure the
area overhead has a nice canopy of branches. This serves to break up any of the
smoke that escapes from the hole and actually makes it more difficult for people to
pinpoint your location, since there will not be a steady stream of smoke.

If you build close to a tree though, make sure there arent any roots that poke into the
hole, as they could actually dry out and catch fire.

Step #2
Once you have the first hole dug, its time to dig a second, slightly smaller hole. Dig this
on the upwind side of your first hole, and connect it via a tunnel below the surface of the
ground.

Step #3
You can then add your materials and start your fire in the first hole. The second hole
acts as ventilation, bringing oxygen into the fire. Remember, oxygen is an essential
element of fire.
Thus far, weve covered how to find and prepare a good site and the things that you
need to consider before you start a fire. Now that you have an idea of the type of
location you should consider, its time to move on to the materials you need to start a
fire.

Chapter 4: Materials for Building a Fire

In this chapter, its time to start looking at the materials you will need for building a fire
for survival.
At the outset of the chapter, well look at the natural materials you will need to gather
from the wild. Later in the chapter, well go over some of the store bought conveniences
that you can buy and keep in your survival kits.
Fire Building Essentials Natural Items
You need to have several types of materials for your wilderness survival fires, and even
the fires you may have to build in your permanent or semi-permanent shelter. These
include:
! Tinder
! Kindling
! Fuel

Tinder
Tinder is a dry material that requires just a small amount of heat to ignite. It is generally
quite dry, which means that it should take only a spark or two to catch fire.
The following are some of the best types of tinder. Its a good idea to gather these and
keep them with you while you are traveling so you always have some on hand. It can
sometimes be difficult to find dry tinder.
Keep a watertight container or two with you so you can ensure these materials stay dry
as well.
! Birch bark
! Cotton
! Dead ferns
! Dead grass
! Dead moss
! Dried evergreen needles
! Dried fibers from vegetables

! Dried fungus
! Dried pieces of rotted logs
! Gunpowder
! Leaves
! Lint
! Sawdust
! Shredded bark (cedar and red elm works particularly well)
! Straw
! Thistle
! Wood shavings
These are some of the best and some of the most common types of tinder you will be
able to find in most locations. If you are wearing clothing and it is dry, for example, you
should usually have access to lint. Just a little of this outside of the box thinking can go
a long way in making it easier for you to start a fire.

The Tinder Nest

When building the fire, you first want to take your tinder and create a tinder nest of
your dry material. This is where you will place the spark no matter what type of method
you are using to start the fire.
Once you place the spark, you can then transfer it to your kindling to get the fire to
spread and catch.

Making Char Cloth

Charred cloth, or char cloth, is a great way to get your tinder to hold a spark until you
can use it to get the kindling lit. Char cloth is a piece of cotton that has been heated to
the point of burning without actually burning. Instead, the cloth chars, the gases release,
but it doesnt actually burn.
The cloth then becomes perfect for holding a spark that will last longer than just with
tinder alone. Ultimately, it makes it easier to take the spark you get with the fire building
methods we will go over later and turn that spark into an actual flame. The spark will hit

the cloth and will stay there until you can move it to the tinder and kindling to start the
fire.
Its a very good idea to start making up some of this char cloth now for your survival kit
long before you need it. Heres all you need to do to make it. Its easy and you can do it
in your spare time.
! Find a small metal container, such as a shoe polish can youve cleaned out or a
tin used for mints.
! Put a small hole into the top of the container.
! Take small strips of 100% cotton and place them into the container.
! Put the lid back on and then put it into a fire or on a stove.
! You will start to see smoke coming off the hole in the can, but eventually that
smoke will slow to a trickle and then stop.
The result will be strips of char cloth that will take just a single spark to ignite. Make
plenty of this and put it in your survival kits now. Once you make the cloth, keep it in an
airtight container until you are ready to use it.

Kindling
The kindling is dry material ready to catch fire. Its larger than the tinder, but smaller
than the actual fuel. Just as you keep an eye out for tinder, you should do the same with
kindling and try to carry a bit with you whenever you can, or store some at your shelter.
This will make it far easier to start fires since you will have the materials with you, and
you can be sure it is dry.
The following are some of the best types of kindling materials to use when starting your
fire.
! Small chunks of dry wood
! Strips of wood
! Thick pieces of cardboard
! Twigs

Softwood, such as pine, cedar, and fir tend to work quite well for kindling, as they tend
to dry quickly. Drier wood, we know, will catch fire easily. Of course, you can use just
about any type of sticks for kindling as long as it is dry.
Kindling is just as important as tinder, so do not neglect it. There is no good in having a
spark if you try to apply it directly to the larger fuel. You need the kindling, which will act
as something of a bridge between the two.

Feather Stick The Hidden Kindling Trick

One of the tricks to making sure you somewhat damp kindling stays lit is to use a
feather stick, sometimes called a fuzz stick. Use a knife to remove the wet outer bark of
your kindling wood and then cut some thin slices into the wood and peel them back
slightly. Make these slices all around the stick.
This reveals the inner, drier wood, and the feathering from making those slices tend to
burn faster, giving you a better flame to get the wood to catch faster. You do not always
have to make one of these feather sticks when you are starting a fire, but if you are
dealing with some kindling that has a wet outside, it can help.

Fuel
Finally, we have the fuel, namely the larger pieces of wood that you collect. You will
want this material to be as dry as possible, as well. The wood that you use should be
the right size for the type of fire you are building, too.
If you are building a small fire in a Dakota Fire Hole, the fuel needs to be smaller than if
you were building a large signal fire, naturally. Think about the purpose of the fire when
you are collecting your wood.
The following are some of the best options for your fires fuel.
! Dry grass twisted into larger tight bundles, which will burn longer
! Dried peat
! Animal dung, such as dried cow patties
! Dried fallen wood
! Dry standing wood

Honestly, you will find that all types of wood should work well for fires so long as they
are dry. Dryness really is the prevailing factor here. Of course, some, such as knotty
woods including pine, will burn differently. They have sap in them, for example, and they
sometimes will hiss, crackle, and pop as the fire burns them.

One Thing to Always Remember

Whether you are heating your home or your camp, starting a signal fire, or anything
else, the type of wood you have matters. Seasoned wood, or dried wood, is always
going to burn better than fresh green wood full of moisture.

Commercial Products for Starting Fires

Once you have your three elements in place tinder, kindling, and fire - it is just about
time to get started building your fire. First, though, its a good idea to look at some of the
commercial products on the market that can help to make actually starting your fire
easier.
While it is certainly a good idea to know how to use the primitive methods of your
ancestors, which we will go over in the next chapter, its also important to make use of
some of the modern conveniences and tools out there that can actually make surviving
quite a bit easier.
Lets look at some of the best types of products on the market that you might want to
consider buying for your survival gear.

Matches and Lighters

These are some of the simplest methods of getting a spark to your tinder and starting a
fire, and you should certainly have some on hand. However, you have to make sure that
you are getting the right products.

Always Choose Strike Anywhere Matches over Safety Matches

When it comes to matches, do not make the mistake of getting safety matches. The
safety matches can only work on special surfaces. The strike anywhere matches

waterproof are the best option. They will work when struck on any hard or rough
surface, making them ideal for survival.
If you cant find a waterproof version of these matches, dont worry. You can always put
them in a waterproof container instead, and it will work almost as well.
You can find these through most stores in your local area, including places such as
Walmart, the grocery stores, and many camping and sporting goods stores. It is not
always as easy to get these online, simply because they have higher costs due to
shipping regulations.
If you are going to be buying matches, its a good idea to buy several different kinds at
first and put them through their paces so you can find one that actually works well in
different conditions. Practice with and use the matches, as well as lighters, for building
fires, just as you will practice with the primitive methods.
As weve said, the more skills you have and that you actually practice, the better off you
will be when it comes to actually surviving.

A Good Lighter
Lighters are a good tool to have as well. While a BIC or
similar cheap plastic lighter can work in a pinch,
especially if you are able to keep them dry and safe,
they are not the only types of lighters on the market.
Zippos tend to be a good choice, and you can find
some that can even withstand being out in the wind and
still keep a flame.
However, one of your best bets might actually be to consider buying a survival lighter.
There really are such things on the market, and many quality brands, including Zippo,
are making them today. They are not the only brand on the market today, and you will
want to check some of the other options out there, including the following:
! Numyth Tohil Lighter
! IMCO Triplex Super
! Maratac Peanut

These are just some of the best options out there right now. Check the reviews and
choose the one that has the features and the good reviews that you need.
In addition, it really might be a good idea to buy quite a few of those cheaper plastic
lighters just to have on hand as well. You can never have too many fire starting
methods.

Flint and Steel

People have been using flint and steel to start fires since well, probably since people
first discovered flint and steel.
Sometimes, you might have only a single hand available to start a fire. The other limb
might be injured. That does not mean that you dont need a fire though, and fortunately,
it doesnt mean you are out of luck. You can find some great single-handed options for
creating a spark with just one hand.
! Spark-Lite
! Dog Tag Fire Starter
! BlastMatch
Any of these could be a good addition to your bag of tricks. Again, check the review and
choose the one that looks as though it will be the best fit for you.

Magnesium Fire Stick

Magnesium sticks are just about as popular as plain old flint and steel, and they can do
an even better job according to some. With these sticks, you take your knife and shave
off just a small bit of magnesium from the stick onto your tinder nest. Then, flip the stick
around and hit your knife against it to create a spark.
When that spark hits the magnesium, it will burn bright and fast, and it should not have
any problem lighting up that tinder. It becomes easy to get the fire going in the tinder
bundle until you can get it to your kindling.
Magnesium fire starters are easy to find online and offline through sites such as
Amazon and in most sporting goods and camping stores. If youve never used one of
these sticks before, they are certainly worth getting. Buy one and practice with it to see
just how easy it is to use.

Once you have one, youll see that magnesium fire sticks are one of the best methods
of starting a fire that is a great bridge between the modern and primitive fire starting
methods out there.
Best of all, they are cheap, so you will want to stock up on them and take one with you
whenever you go out into the wild.

Fire Cubes and Commercial Tinder

Fire cubes are actually another good item you might want to consider buying. These
cubes and commercial tinder ensure that you always have something dry with you that
will catch fire. Some will ignite instantly, and you can then use them to start your main
fire, even if you dont have any other fire building tools with you, save for some kindling
and wood.
Again, many different varieties and brands of these are available today, so you will want
to check up on the reviews that are out there to see which ones are likely to work the
best.

Power Pot
One of the other items you may really want to consider is the PowerPot, which is
something that relatively few people know about or keep in their bag of survival tricks.
However, it really could be a good option for you.

What is the Power Pot?

Saying that it is a technological marvel is not going too far. It has the potential to
become one of the most important survival devices that you ever own. By now, you are
probably wondering what this thing does though.
It is able to create power from any heat source, whether you are using propane, wood,
or anything else for that matter. You can use the power created by the device to charge
your phone and other USB devices, so you never have to worry about not having power.
Imagine just how helpful this could be when you are camping. Now imagine how much
more beneficial it could be in a survival situation.
Since it gathers power from the fire and the heat, you dont have to worry about some of
the disadvantages that solar powered devices have. Namely, you arent going to be

doing much charging in the middle of the night with a solar unit. The Power Pot works
day and night, whether the sun is shining or it is pouring rain.
In addition, you can use the device for boiling water so you can purify it for drinking or
even cook a meal. Its a very durable and rugged product too, which makes it an ideal
option for the backpackers, hikers, and survivalists out there.
You can learn more about the device at http://www.powerpractical.com/powerpot-v. It
really is a good option.
Give it a shot.

Chapter 5: How to Build Your Fire Different Types of Fire

Everything else has been leading you up
to this point and getting you ready. Now it
is time to get down to the good stuff
actually building and creating the fire. In
this chapter, well look at several different
types of fires you can build, as well as
how to build a fire in inclement weather.
Even though it is not easy when raining, it
is sometimes possible.
First, well look at some of the most common and workable methods of building up your
fire materials, and then we will get into the different techniques of actually bringing your
fire to life.
! Pyramid
! Lean-To
! Cross-Ditch
! Teepee
! Swedish Fire Log

The Pyramid
This is one of the most common types of fire building methods. To create the fire, you
will first want to take two small logs or large branches and place them on the ground so
that they are parallel to one another.
Next, take several slightly smaller logs or branches and lay them across the parallel
logs. Add another layer on top of this one going in the other direction. Keep doing this
until you have a pyramid stacked five or six layers high. As you go up in layers, the size
of the fuel that you use should be smaller.
With this type of fire, you will be starting the fire at the top. It will burn those smaller
pieces of fuel first and gain strength as it burns and lights the branches below.

One of the nice things about this type of structure is that once you start it, you dont
have to pay too much attention to it, as it will feed itself. If you make it large enough, you
can actually have the fire burn throughout the night.

Lean-To
This type of fire building method is not quite as popular, but it can still be quite useful,
and it is easy to build. In order to do this, you need to take a green stick of wood and
sharpen it at one end. Place the sharpened end into the ground at a 30 degree angle or
thereabouts. You might need to place a few rocks around the base, just so it can steady
the stick.
When you place the stick, try to point the upper end in the direction of the wind, as this
will help to push some oxygen into the fire, keeping it lit.
You will want to place your kindle at the base of the stick near the part youve got in
the ground. Lean kindling sticks along each side of the pointed stick and create a
miniature lean-to. Just make sure you have enough room to get a spark into that tinder
without knocking over your kindling.
Once you have the tinder on fire, it will begin to catch the kindling on fire. As the kindling
catches and begins to burn, watch the fire and continue to add kindling slowly until the
fire is large enough that you can add some of the larger fuel.
This type of design works well, but it takes a bit more handholding than the pyramid and
other methods.

Cross-Ditch
Heres another simple method that you can use for getting a fire going. With the crossditch method, you will want to use a stick or a shovel to dig out a small ditch thats only
about seven to eight centimeters or so deep.
Dig it into the shape of a cross, and then place your tinder next at the center of this
cross. Above the tinder, you can build a pyramid or teepee. Again, make sure you have
access to the tinder and can put a spark to it without actually tipping over or upsetting
your kindling.

The purpose of the ditch is to make sure you have enough airflow through to the
kindling and the tinder to provide oxygen to the fire.
If you notice that you arent getting enough of a fire going with this method, it could be
that your ditch simply isnt quite deep enough. Start over, dig it a little deeper, and see if
you can angle the cross toward the wind.

Teepee
The teepee method is probably the most popular method, and is the one that you often
see on television and in movies for some reason. Again, building the teepee is not too
difficult to do with a little practice.
The first step after preparing your site and clearing away the flammable material on the
ground is to set up your tinder in the center of the area where you want to build.
Next, arrange your kindling around the tinder in the shape of a teepee. Leave an
opening at the base when you are creating the teepee, as you will still need to be able
to get your spark in there to light the kindling.
When the fire begins to burn, the outer kindling will fall into and feed the fire, keeping it
going. You can start adding some larger logs, as the fire gets bigger. One of the
advantages to this type of fire is that it tends to work fairly well with wet wood.
As the fire burns, it helps to dry the wood out a bit. It doesnt necessarily require the
same amount of watching as the lean-to, but its not quite as hands free as the pyramid.
It is still a good option though, and is probably one of the first ones that most people
learn how to build when they go out camping.
Definitely make it a part of your own fire-building arsenal.

Swedish Fire Torch, or the Canadian Candle

Here is a great and simple way to get a fire going thats good for camping and survival
situations alike. Its a bit different from some of the other methods that you will learn, but
it is still a good trick to know if you have the right gear.
This is an option for those who have access to a permanent or semi-permanent shelter
for the most part.

The Swedish Fire Torch, sometimes called the Canadian Candle, is a method of getting
the heat and light you need from a fire, and of creating a nice and stable cook top for
your pans.
The first thing you will want to have is a log that is perhaps two feet high and flat on both
sides. It should be perhaps ten inches in diameter, at least. If you have a chainsaw, it
makes this method simpler, but you can do it with an axe as well.
Set the log up so that one flat end is on the ground and the other is up in the air. With
the chainsaw, cut several deep notches down into the log, but do not go so far down
into the log that it actually splits apart entirely.
You want to have notches in the wood that are wide enough that you will then be able to
stuff your tinder, and perhaps even some of the smaller kindling down into them. When
you put the lit tinder there, it will begin to smolder and then catch, eventually igniting the
log from the inside.
This can actually burn for quite some time, and it can give off a good amount of heat. Of
course, one of the best things about it is that flat surface on the top. It makes an ideal
place for you to place a pan for cooking or boiling water so that you can drink it.
If you are going to use this method to cook, make sure that you watch your pots and
pans. As the log burns down further and further, it becomes less and less stable. You
dont want your water or food to spill because you werent watching it properly.
Keep in mind that if you use an axe it takes a bit more precision and skill to create the
notches. In addition, you might not be able to get quite as deep without splitting the
wood.

A Second Method
You might be thinking that the Canadian Candle sounds great, but you dont have a
chainsaw and you may not have an axe in your situation. You can try a second method
of creating something thats very similar to this. Instead of a log, get some old lumber,
perhaps from a dilapidated home or barn.
Use some nails as spacers to put the lumber together and to recreate the notched
look. Make sure you leave enough space to stuff the tinder and some kindling. If you
have a bit of wire, you will be able to hold it together for even longer as it burns.

While this method will work in a pinch, it does have the drawback of not being able to
cook on it, at least not as easily. This is because these tend to be less stable than the
logs are.

Rescue Fire
Sometimes, the fires you build are for more than warmth and cooking. Sometimes, they
are for signaling for rescue, which is another important aspect of many survival
situations. If the world goes down the tubes and you are trying to avoid detection, then
you dont need to know about this method.
However, if you are simply a lost hiker and you need to make sure the planes and
rescuers know exactly where to look for you, then this method could be a lifesaver.
People hate the idea of forest fires and wildfires. They actively look for signs of these
fires so they can go out and put a stop to them before they spread. Thus, if you are lost
and no one knows where you are, starting a fire that looks like the beginning of a forest
fire is a great way to draw some attention and to differentiate you from a regular
campfire.
We say looks like a wildfire because you dont actually want to start a wildfire. Its too
dangerous and causes too much damage. However, you can replicate the look, and you
can send up large plumes of smoke to get the attention of people who can rescue you.

The Basics of the Signal Fire

Signal fires need to have more fuel than a normal fire for warmth, and they need to have
the right type of fuel. First, you need to make sure that it is large enough to produce
enough smoke, but not so large that it could get out of control.
A good trick to ensure the fire is producing enough smoke is to throw on some things
such as evergreen boughs, which will smoke readily. If you have anything thats a bit
oily or rubbery that you dont need for survival, tossing that onto the fire can also
produce a thick, dark smoke that can gain some attention.
This is especially important to consider given the type of day it is. Lets say its a bit hazy
outside and theres some low cloud cover. Putting up white smoke, which most fuel you
will find in the woods will produce, might not be enough to get the rescuers to see you.

Instead, youll want to see if you can find something such as cooking oil or even motor
oil to throw up some black smoke.
On a clear day, white smoke should be fine for attracting the attention of the rescuers
though. Once again, you can see how important it is to use common sense and to
improvise for different scenarios.
You also need to make sure it is in a visible place, such as a clearing or the top of a hill
or a mountain. If you try to light a signal fire under a thick canopy of trees, it could
dissipate the smoke and the rescuers might never actually see you.
If a plane sees the smoke, they will generally tip their wings to let you know theyve
seen you. A helicopter will hover in the area and may even land if it is safe. Ground
rescuers may take longer, but they will head toward that smoke. This leads to the next
essential part of a signal fire.

Stay Put
One of the big problems that can come with rescue is that the lost person doesnt stay
in place after they signal for rescue. Once you get the smoke in the air and you see that
rescuers are on the way, or even while you are simply waiting for someone to notice the
smoke, dont leave the area and try to find your way out. Dont travel in the direction of
the aircraft. Stay where you are as long as there is no immediate danger and wait for
the rescuers to arrive.
When you leave the area, it makes it more difficult for the rescuers to locate you and
bring you home safely.

Are You Ready?

The types of fire designs and structures weve gone over in this chapter arent the only
ones you can try. However, they are the ones most commonly used by survivalists and
by the military. They work, and they are relatively easy to remember too, which makes
them even better.
Which one of these should you try? Which one is the best? Different situations and
different locations may require that you use one method instead of the other. Perhaps
you dont have enough materials to create the pyramid technique. Maybe you are on a

hard surface that you cant dig into to create the cross-ditch method. Use what is best
for your current situation.
Practice each of these different techniques so you know how to build them. Yes, when
you read about creating teepees and pyramids, it all seems easy. However, you need to
get in the practical knowledge of how to do it by doing it. Getting that teepee to stand up
when it is cold and windy is not always easy to do. Its not easy to dig a cross-ditch
when the ground is frozen.
Are you ready?
If not, then it is time to get ready. Now, read on so you can learn all about making the
flame!

Chapter 6: How to Light the Fire and Keep It Going

You have your materials for the fire, with the
tinder just waiting for that spark. Youve built a
nice pyramid or teepee and now the only thing
that you have to wait for is the spark that will
ignite it and bring your fire to life.
This is the most exciting part.
Starting the actual fire is also the part that can
be the most frustrating and that requires the most practice and dedication to get right.
When you practice these methods, you will feel discouraged. Starting a fire using
primitive techniques is not an easy thing to do, even for those who have knowledge and
skill in the area. Sometimes, starting the fires takes longer than other times.
Perseverance, combined with knowledge, is the key to creating a fire with these
primitive methods.

Using the Bow and Drill

When you are using the bow and drill method, its a good idea to try to use the best
possible wood for the process. Many types of wood will work, but the following are some
of the best:
! Willow
! Balsam Fir
! Cedar
! Spruce
! Aspen
! Poplar
The idea of the bow and drill is quite simple, but it takes time and effort, along with
many calories to get it to work properly.

The Materials
You also need to be sure you have all of the right items. You need:

! Bow
! Drill
! Socket
! Fire Board
For the bow, you will want to choose a piece of green wood that is supple enough and
strong enough to bend without breaking. It should be about the diameter of your thumb,
although this can vary based on what works best for you and what you have on hand.
In addition, the bow will need to have a piece of string tied to each end without leaving
any slack. For the string, you can use some vine or other cordage that you have. Its
possible to use a bootlace or shoelace, but there is a chance of it breaking, so be aware
of that.
Ideally, the drill will be a piece of seasoned hardwood, and it should be as straight as
possible. It should be just slightly thinner than the wood you use for the bow, and it
should be about ten inches long.
Your socket can be a small rock that will fit into the palm of your hand and that has a
small depression on one end that will be able to hold one end of the drill in place.
You can often find good sockets in creek beds, even dry ones. However, you should be
able to find them just about anywhere with a bit of looking.
The fireboard will need to be a piece of softwood that is about four to five inches wide
and a little less than an inch thick. On the edge of the boards underside, you will take
your knife or other sharp instrument to cut a V notch into it. Create a notch on the
topside of the board that will lead down to the V as well. This is where the coal will fall
onto your tinder.

Starting the Fire

Once you have these materials, you can get ready to start trying to make fire. Get your
small tinder nest ready by placing it under the V cut you made on the board. Now, put
one foot on the board to hold it down. Some people use their bare feet, as they say it
helps to give them a better grip, but thats up to you. Practice with both methods. Of
course, if it is cold out, you might want to keep those boots and socks on.

Loop your bowstring over the drill and place the drill into the depression. Hold the bow
in one hand, and hold the drill in place onto that depression with the socket.
Now comes the hard part.
Move the bow back and forth in a smooth motion. This will spin the drill and cause
friction. Try to increase the speed of the bow to increase the friction without the bow
slipping or the string breaking. This is where things get frustrating for many people
because they dont know how hard to press down on the socket or how fast to move the
bow.
Since different situations and different pieces of wood, and sockets for that matter, will
act differently, all of this can change from fire to fire. It really is a matter of practice and
getting the basic skills down first. Then, you can use those basics to adjust to the
different particulars, such as a different type of wood. Honestly, only practicing survival
techniques will get you to the point where you can survive.
Once you get the method down, the friction will cause much of the wood on the
fireboard to start to rub away and to become dust. Its in that black dust that you want to
be looking for the ember. This will fall down into your tinder nest and begin to smoke.
At that point, you want to nurture that fire. Blow carefully onto the nest to coax the spark
into a flame and then start adding some of your other tinder to keep the fire going. Bring
it to your fire build and put it onto your additional tinder. Slowly feed it kindling so you
can build the fire gradually.
It is essential that you are very careful when you are moving the tinder from one location
to another, as you do not want to put out the flame.

Flint and Steel

When you compare this to the other primitive methods, youll see that it is the simplest
and most effective option available. While its still primitive, it is actually close to some of
the modern techniques, such as using the magnesium stick. In fact, you can find flint
and steel sets in the store today.
Of course, you might not always have access to one of these sets. Instead, you may
need to use some flint, or other sharp edged rock, that you find. You will need this as
well as a piece of carbon steel.

Place your tinder down in front of you and then strike the flint and steel together. This
creates sparks. You want to get one of those sparks to land on the tinder. Once you do,
youll need to treat the tinder just as carefully as you did with the bow and drill method,
or any other method.
Slowly add your kindling and fuel to coax out a nice fire.
While the bow and drill method can be very frustrating and can take hours to work
(when it does work), you can get a fire going with flint and steel in a matter of minutes.
Thus, you should always have flint and steel with you if you can.

Did You Make Char Cloth?

If you have some char cloth, which we discussed earlier, getting a spark to land on and
light up the char cloth is actually easier than getting it to start the tinder on fire. You can
send a spark to your char cloth and then use that to start up your tinder to make things
easier on you.

Fire Plow
The Fire Plow is another primitive method that relies on friction to work properly. It is
similar to the bow and drill, but the amount of items you need is even less. This requires
a hardwood shaft thats about ten inches long and a softwood fireboard thats about
twelve inches long and four to five inches wide.
Cut a notch down the center of the fireboard, which is where you will work the drill.
Place the board at an angle against your lap while you are kneeling, and put your tinder
nest at the bottom of the board. Use the plow to move up and down along that notch.
This friction will generate heat and will start to burn the wood, creating that same black
dust from the bow and drill method.
This should eventually create a spark that will fall onto your tinder and ignite it. As
always, its important to pay attention to your tinder so you can see any signs of smoke
from where an ember might be burning.
Once you have that spark, its time to blow that flame to life and carefully move it to your
kindling and fuel.

Bullets, Batteries, and Binoculars

In this section, well cover several unique methods of starting a fire, and well list some
of those commercial methods that you really do not want to overlook!

Bullets for a Damp Tinder Nest

If you have bullets with you, whether you were hunting, hiking, or on the run from the
enemy, then you have a good way to start a fire a little easier. This works quite well if
you have any damp tinder, too, and you are using flint and steel, or even other methods.
Use a multi-tool to remove the bullet from the casing very carefully. Pour out the
gunpowder onto a leaf or piece of paper and then move it to your tinder bundle. Now,
when a spark hits that gunpowder, it will flare up, helping to dry that tinder, and helping
to catch it on fire faster.
When you are using the fire plow and the bow and drill method, you will find that this
works well, too. It takes just that little spark to ignite the powder, and that means you
can make these methods work faster and more reliably.

Batteries
If you have a battery, such as a car or boat battery, along with some wires or cables,
then you are in business. Make sure you are well insulated and then touch those wires
together to create instant sparks that can ignite your tinder.
Another great trick to use is to carry some 9-volt batteries with you, along with some
steel wool. When you touch the steel wool to the battery, it creates sparks and starts the
steel wool on fire, which you can then simply add to your tinder. This fast and easy
method is one anyone who has the items can use reliably every time. If you hike, put
these in your pack. Keep them separate in your pack unless you want a nasty surprise
though.

Convex Lenses
This method takes some time and patience, but it does work. On particularly sunny
days, it can actually work very well, too. All you need is a convex lens, such as you
might find with a magnifying glass, telescope, camera, or binoculars.

Simply hold the lens at an angle over the tinder and concentrate the suns rays onto one
particular spot. This area will heat up and will eventually ignite. Blow on the tinder to get
it to turn into a flame and then add it to your kindling.

Building a Fire in the Rain

Finally, lets look at a few parting tips to help make it a little bit easier for you to start a
fire when its raining or snowing.
! Always try to find the driest wood possible, even in bad weather.
! Carve off the outer, wetter bark to get at the drier stuff inside
! Keep the fire out of the direct rain or snow as much as you can even propping
up a jacket or garbage bag can help to keep the fire drier.
! Keep out of the wind.
! Get outside and practice when it is wet and rainy. Seriously, its the best way to
learn!
It is important to remember that starting a fire in bad weather really will take longer, and
it might not be possible. If you find that you are unable to get a fire going when it is
snowing or the rain is getting colder, it might be better to seek better shelter and to get
out of the rain as much as possible.
Learn from what happened and make sure that you begin collecting and carrying tinder
and small bits of kindling with you so that you can be sure that you always have dry
materials available. It will make starting a fire much easier when you are in a bad
situation.

Conclusion
You now have knowledge of the techniques
needed to start a fire in the wilderness or at
home, and you know the materials you need to
have on hand or gather. When you have the
ability to start a fire, you can keep death,
darkness, and cold at bay for you and your
family.
It is time that you take this knowledge and start building skills by getting out there and
putting them into practice. As you learn, these skills become second nature to you, and
they become a part of you. Keep learning and teach others what they will need to do in
order to survive when it comes to building a fire.
When you realize that you have several ways that you can make fire seemingly out of
nothing, your confidence levels, and your ability to survive, will soar!

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