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Columbia, Missouri |
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“We are prepared” |
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Fire Starters |
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Fire Starters What is a fire starter? An easily ignitable substance used to get a fire going. Natural fire starters are known as tinder. Whatever tinder you use, remember all tinder absorbs moister easily and may be least effective when you need it most – such as in the middle of the pouring rain. Keep your tinder dry.
There are lots and lots of different kinds. Here are some you can find outdoors … and some you can make at home and bring with you camping.
Outdoors
· Dry grass, dry leaves, and very fine fibers of dry bark, such as birch or cedar, are types of tinder you may be able to find outdoors. Usually, the finer the tinder the better. Start with a base of fine tinder and form a teepee-shaped pile, about 2" high, with larger tinder over the finer.
· Tiny brittle branches from dead limbs tend to be the most available tinder in wet weather. No larger than a pencil lead, these will burn even when damp. Those from evergreen trees are especially good. Select ones which snap when broken.
Make & bring with you
· Dryer lint from cotton or wool fabrics is a modern favorite. However, take care not to use lint from synthetic fabrics...it melts instead of burns.
· Pitch or waxed fire starters are easily made from rolled paper dipped in wax, pitch, or tar.
· Cotton balls covered with Vaseline (white petroleum jelly) make great fire starters. Roll each cotton ball in Vaseline, and store the balls in plastic film cans (one can holds about 30 balls). To start a fire, put two or three cotton balls under dry kindling and light.
· Magnesium shaved off a magnesium block/flint and steel kit is highly flammable. Use a pocketknife to shave off the block a nickle-sized pile of magnesium slivers. Stand back, and strike the flint and the magnesium will burn fiercely for a brief time – getting hot enough to start a fire.
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Copyright © 2002-2008 - Boy Scout Troop 702 |
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