If you're preparing for a trip into the wilderness, bringing a few things along can make it easier to start a fire, even with damp wood. The Wilderness Survival Skills website recommends making your own fire starter using dryer lint, pieces of cardboard and wax. Attach a match and wrap everything in plastic wrapping. If you're are not prepared and need to start a fire without equipment, the method is a little more difficult.
Step 1
Gather the driest wood you can find. Even among damp wood, some branches will be drier than others. Make a pile on the driest area of ground you can find.
Step 2
Look for large logs, and split them open. If you can find dry wood inside, chop the outside away and discard. Add on top of the wood and branches pile. This will serve as kindling.
Step 3
Search for anything dry that you can add to the pile. This can include pine cones, pieces of paper, twigs or evergreens. Mix in with the wet wood.
Step 4
Search for pine trees. If you can find a broken branch or a hole in the trunk, look for a waxy, sticky substance known as fatwood. This resin is highly flammable and can be added to your pile of wood to start a fire faster.
Step 5
Starting a fire---even if it's a small one---once you have a good pile that combines all items. Once it's going, place damp wood around so the heat can help dry it. This can be added to the fire to increase its size and keep it going.
Things You'll Need
- Matches
- Twigs and evergreens
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