Wilderness Survival: How to Start a Fire

Needless to say, if you are stranded in the wilderness a fire will life your spirits. Not only will you feel the accomplishment of completing the challenge, but the light a fire provides will help you make it through a long night in the dark. Fires also help to keep distance between you and the wildlife, and provide a way to cook food and boil water. They are 2nd on my list of things to do following only finding drinking water. Building a fire sounds very simple, but even with the proper survival tools, the task is often difficult. Read on for some great tips on starting a fire with or without the common fire starting tools.

First of all, if you have matches or a lighter, this task will be much easier accomplished. Getting that first flame is often the most challenging part of starting a fire. Before you do anything, you will want to pick a place to put your fire. Find a spot where there is shelter near by, or where you can build a small shelter. Be sure the ground is level and there is nothing that will catch on fire too close by.

After you have a spot for your fire, you will want to search for some kindling and some dry wood. After your flame is started, you will need lots of fuel to keep the fire going. Look for fallen trees, broken limbs and bark from a tree. If you have any paper or cardboard, you’ll want to use that for kindling as well.

You are then ready to start the fire. If you have matches, the next step is obvious and very simple! However, if you do not have a flame source, the task will prove a bit more difficult. There are two great ways you can start a fire without a flame. The first is with a magnifying glass. If you have a camera or compass, you can often use the sun’s rays to start a fire. As the rays pass through the lens, they will be magnified and concentrated to a tiny spot. This spot will heat up and eventually begin to flame. You must hold the lens perfectly still for up to an hour, so get comfortable!

The next method is the ancient proven method of rubbing two sticks together. You can do this by laying a flat stick on the ground. Try to make an indentation in the stick so that there will be a spot to rub the other stick into. This will help you to concentrate the friction in one single spot helping the heat to increase faster.

You can make a bow if you have a string, even your shoe lace. Use this to turn the stick very quickly. If you have no string, you will have to turn the stick manually with your hands. This method also takes patience, but will eventually heat the wood enough to begin smoking. Place some very dry kindling right at the point of friction by the two sticks. The smoke will eventually form some coals at the friction point on the bottom stick. Patience is very important, as is concentration. Be completely focused on your fire sticks, and the flames will be there in time.

Never try to place wet wood onto your fire. The chance of it burning is very slim, but the chance of it putting your fire out is great. Keep looking for dry wood. Try to cover the wood you have collected to prevent it from getting wet in a rain or from a heavy due.

A great alternative fire starting method is the magnesium stick with flint. These are sold in the camping section of many outdoor sports stores. You can scratch some magnesium onto a pile of kindling, or on a piece of wood. You can then use the flint to create a spark that will ignite the magnesium.

Having a candle is also a great way to ensure your flame will stay lit. If you are ever camping in a remote area, biking or hiking far from civilization, be sure you have some material to start a fire. The camping aisle at many stores is full of fire starters, logs and other tools to help ensure you are able to build a fire.