Survival Skills: Prep For Wet Weather Fire Building

A campfire is such an integral part of most wilderness experiences. It boils our water, cooks our food and lights up the darkness. And the times when we need a fire the most - are the times when fire can be the hardest to produce. Cold, windy, rainy conditions are prime time for hypothermia (the dangerous lowering of your body’s core temperature), and these are the toughest conditions for building a fire. This is not revolutionary information. Every school child knows that water puts out fire, yet many outdoor enthusiasts venture into wet conditions without bringing the necessities for wet-weather fire making.

Beat The Odds: Even if you don’t expect to encounter wet weather, it’s never a bad idea to carry multiple fire starting implements and fuel that will burn even in wet and windy conditions. Products like UST’s WetFire cubes have been my favorite for years, though Vaseline soaked cotton balls are a close second place. Either of these fuels will light from sparks or flame (though flame is your better choice, hence all the Bic lighters I carry). It’s also helpful to collect standing dead wood, rather than wood on the ground. It’s even more helpful to remove dead wet bark and split the pieces of wood. This allows the flames to hit drier wood. Prepare for the worst possible conditions and you’ll sail through the rest.

Ready to learn more about fire building? Take my Ultimate Fire Starting class! See the Course Details page for more info.

Written by Tim MacWelch First draft published on outdoorlife.com