Emergency campfire

Starting a fire during an emergency can save your life. The inability to build a fire can cost your life.

While most experts agree that the ability to make fire is an essential survival skill, it is only one part of the whole survival equation.

Never plan to build a campfire to make up for inadequate clothing or shelter.

But when you’re lost, a cheery, crackling campfire can provide light, be a morale booster, and a source of  heat for warding off hypothermia, cooking and  purifying water. The smoke from the fire can signal you need help. And gathering fuel to feed the flames may keep you in one place long enough to be found!

• Here’s what it takes to make a survival fire:
• Ignition: One of the most important aspects, this is where you make the initial flame that ignites everything else. You should carry a minimum of three different types of firemaking devices. These could include
• a butane lighter
• waterproof matches in waterproof container
• magnesium stick with cotton balls and petroleum jelly work every time
• emergency flare to use in extreme inclement weather to torch the wood (deep snow, blinding rain)

Circumstances that might disable one method of ignition shouldn’t stop you from making a flame.   You can also learn to use an old fashioned flint-and-steel method, with some practice, which will start a fire under many situations. Flint-and-steel also uses materials that can be readily replenished in the wilderness.

• Dry tinder and fuel: Know where to find dry wood under any circumstances, but always carry some sort of firestarter along. Always carry a knife, in some cases a portable saw or small hatchet for hacking away at the dry underbelly of  a wet log or tree.
• Construction: The size, dryness and how you arrange the fuel will determine if the fire grows or dies.  Learn the log house method, the tepee version, or the yurt design  for starting a roaring fire in under three minutes. Whatever pattern you decide on, practice it first!

There’s more information on this site on how to make your own firestarter; check “Make a Fire” tab on the left side of this page.

Check out these fire starting equipment options: