Firecraft
Fire provides warmth, light, water purification, signaling, psychological comfort, and protection from predators. Master this essential skill.
The Fire Triangle
Heat
Ignition source
Fuel
Wood, debris
Oxygen
Air flow
Remove any element and the fire dies. Understanding this helps you both start and control fire.
Strikes produce 3000°F sparks, works when wet
Easy
Windproof, waterproof, instant flame
Easy
Durable, thousands of strikes
Easy
Requires direct sunlight
Moderate
Primitive friction fire, requires practice
Hard
Most difficult primitive method
Expert
Fuel Management
Tinder
Catches initial spark. Must be fine, dry, and fluffy.
Size: Hair to matchstick thin
Kindling
Small sticks that catch from tinder.
Size: Pencil to finger thick
Fuel
Larger logs that sustain fire.
Size: Wrist to arm thick
Wet Weather Fire Starting
Find standing dead wood (doesn't touch ground)
Split wood to access dry interior
Create a raised platform to keep fire off wet ground
Make feather sticks from dry inner wood
Use waterproof tinder (birch bark, fatwood)
Build a small fire first, add damp wood gradually
Create a roof/lean-to to protect from rain
Pro Tip
Fire Safety Checklist
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