Creating a Fire Kit

One of the more important things to survival is fire. A fire can do many things: keep warm, dry wet clothes, cook food, boil water to help purify it, keep animals away and provide light at night for a sense of calm. When developing your bug out bag there are things that you should have to start a fire. Also get training, or read some books/watch you tube and then PRACTICE. Do you have a fire pit? If so use these tools and the skills you learned to start your fires!

There are a bunch of ways to start fires.  I have simplified my fire kit in my bug out bag to a couple items. In general you need a source of spark or flame and fuel.  To achieve this lets break it down into categories:

 

Flame:  This is any way to create a flame or a spark.  The easiest ways to do this are:

  • Lighter - A simple Bic lighter is an inexpensive way to get a flame.  It can run out of fuel and doesn't work too well if wet. You can get a protective enclosure which I recommend.

  • Waterproof matches - You need to have a back up if your lighter doesn’t work. Have some matches. You will need to have a way to strike these.  They also should be in a protective case.  These of course are limited in number.

  • Flint & Steel - A fire flint and the back of s knife typically works just fine. This you can used hundreds of times. There are different qualities out there so be sure to pick a good brand and look at the reviews.

 

Fuel: Normally mother nature does not always provide dry small tinder for a spark to start a fire easily, so need to have a  source of material that easily catches fire so that you can ignite the slightly wet wood or larger wood fuel.  Some sources you might consider

  • Vaseline soaked cotton balls or makeup removal pads. These work GREAT.  Melt the Vaseline and dip the cotton into it. To light just pull apart a little bit and get a spark on it. These are my favorite.

  • Fat wood - this is good if you have a flame (lighter or candle). These are pine sticks that are loaded with natural pine sap which turns out burns very well.

  • Candle - If you have a flame to light it, the candle will last longer for lighting fuel on fire.

  • Wax rope - This is better for sparks or flame.

Here are some examples of the products:

Flame/Sparks


Lighter Enclosure: Exotac fire SLEEVE Waterproof Floating Lighter Case Amazon Link

 Why I like it: This is for a regular Bic Lighter.  It is water proof, floats, and has clips for tying it off to your bag so you don't lose it.  It also has a band that you put on the button to keep it lit.

Waterproof Matches: UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case Amazon Link

 Why I like it: This brand has a high reliability even when wet.  The case is waterproof as well and has built in striker to make it easy to light the matches.

Flint and Steel : Survival Flint Fire Starter Kit, Thick Ferro Rod (4" x ⌀ 2/5") with Comfy Steel Striker Amazon Link

 Why I like it: You really want a little larger ferro rod.  Some are very short and that means you don't get a lot of sparks per strike.  6" ones are too big and add weight.  The 4" seems to be decent.  Also recommend at least some thickness.  The striker that is attached is nice but you can always use a knife.  The chord is a little bulky for me so I might change it out with a thinner chord.

FUEL

Fat Wood: tBesme Fatwood Fire Starter Sticks Amazon Link

 Why I like it: This is great method to get a sustained fire to get other tinder or smaller twigs ignited.

Vaseline soaked cotton balls.  Melt the Vaseline and dunk the cotton balls into it.  Let them cool and put in a zip lock or container.  Tear apart a little and it will light easily with a spark or a lighter. This is by far my favorite and works best for me. There are others that use makeup remover pads, but I don’t think they work as well as the cotton balls.

Scott Sampson