Fire Lighting

Fire lighting is the bushcraft skill of starting a fire from scratch, without matches or a lighter. You make a spark or an ember, catch it in dry tinder, then feed it kindling and bigger fuel until it burns on its own. It's one of the oldest human skills there is, and getting it right feels properly primal.

Every fire needs three things: heat, fuel and oxygen. Bushcrafters call this the fire triangle. Take one away and the fire goes out.

The fuel comes in stages. Tinder is the fluffy, bone-dry stuff that catches a spark, such as birch bark, dry grass or cotton wool. Kindling is the next step up: thin, dry twigs about as thick as a pencil. Only once those are burning well do you add thicker sticks and logs. Rush it, and your fire sulks. Feed it patiently, and it rewards you.

The ferro rod, or ferrocerium rod, is where most beginners start. Scrape it hard with a steel striker and it throws hot sparks, even when it's damp.

Flint and steel is the traditional version. Striking steel against a sharp flint sends tiny sparks onto char cloth, which glows and can be blown into a flame.

Friction methods are the hard mode. A bow drill spins a wooden spindle against a wooden board until the dust turns into a glowing ember. The hand drill does the same with just your palms and a lot of determination.

On a sunny day, a magnifying glass can focus sunlight onto tinder too. Weather permitting, of course.

It starts with fire safety: where to kneel, how to keep the fire contained and how to put it out properly. Your Activity Leader then shows you how to find and prepare good tinder, shave feather sticks from dry wood and build a simple fire lay, like a teepee of kindling. Then it's your turn with the striker. The first spark that takes, and the first wisp of smoke, is a genuinely great moment.

Absolutely. Nobody is born knowing how to do it, and the basics click quickly once someone shows you. Many people find the slow, careful work of coaxing a flame surprisingly calming. It's also a handy skill to have up your sleeve on your next camping trip, and a very good way to impress your mates around the campfire.

Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind smelling a bit smoky. Natural fabrics like cotton and wool are best near a fire, as some synthetic fabrics can melt. Tie back long hair and tuck away scarves or anything loose.

You might also like Survival Skills, Shelter Building and Axe Skills.

See all Camp Wildfire activities