Remember, it is always worth carrying more than one method of fire lighting – consider taking matches (in a waterproof container), a firesteel and a cigarette lighter.Ī tinderbox should consist of a method of producing sparks and something to catch the sparks – e.g. Make sure that it has a tight seal and will fit easily in your backpack. Remember to choose a tin, look for the type that used to be considered an old cigarette tin. Here are some key considerations when preparing your tinderbox. Tinder boxes, which were used domestically as well as out on the trail, continued to be in common usage until the 18th century. Later, as we passed through the iron age, basic firesteels came to replace the iron pyrites. The famous Otzi or Tyrolean Iceman, a well preserved natural mummy thought to date from around 3500 BCE, was found carrying fungus (for tinder) and iron pyrites. Flint and iron pyrites were used throughout Europe since pre-history. Tinder boxes have a long and rich history. Remember, preparation is not just about kit – practice these techniques and using this kit while in an ideal environment and you will be better prepared to use them in adverse conditions. Here are some items that you can prepare at home to help you make this process much simpler. Luckily the rain has stopped and you’re back at your campsite (where you have the landowner’s permission to light a fire) and you’re keen to get the campfire roaring, dry out and start cooking your food. You had a great time but now you’re wet, your kit is wet and everything around you is wet. Picture the scene, you went out walking the weather didn’t hold out and it has poured down. Preparing your fire lighting kit before your trip In this next section, we’re going to look at a few things that you can prepare to help you light a fire in the wind and rain. The key to successful fire lighting, as with most things in life, is preparation. Elevate your fire off the ground if at all possible and look out for any low-hanging branches above your fire which could ignite. We will talk more about location and preparation later on but try to clear the ground under where you’re about to have a fire, if the ground is peaty (such as on Dartmoor) then don’t light a fire at all – it has the potential to smolder underground and transform into a forest fire. These are accidental fires caused by setting alight to shallow root systems – doing so can easily cause a fire to rapidly spread – this is a particular case with coniferous trees. Also look out for the potential of root fires. However, it is not just the law that needs to be taken into consideration when fire lighting.įire lighting – be wary of the conditionsĪssuming that you’ve satisfied the above criteria then be mindful of your surroundings note if the ground and surrounding area is particularly dry or going through a period of drought. Remove all traces of an open fire before you leave. Never light an open fire during prolonged dry periods or in areas such as forests, woods, farmland, peaty ground or near to buildings or in cultural heritage sites where damage can be easily caused. If you do wish to light an open fire, keep it small, under control, and supervised – fires that get out of control can cause major damage, for which you might be liable. In Scotland, the outdoor access code states, “wherever possible, use a stove rather than light an open fire. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you must have the landowner’s permission before lighting a fire. Remember, whenever you’re practicing bushcraft or camping in the UK you need to abide by the bylaws of the area.įire lighting and the law – England, Wales, Northern Ireland How to light a stove in the wind and rainīefore we look at how to light fires in the wind and rain, here’s a quick recap of what you should know when fire lighting in the UK.Ī quick recap – fire lighting in the UK – safety and the law.Learn how to light a fire using a firesteel and birch back.A quick recap – fire lighting safety and the law.Remember, you can read the whole blog or skip to the sections that interest you using the links below: We’re not going to be looking at friction fire lighting this week – but keep checking back in as we’ll be teaching you all about friction fire lighting and bow drills later in the month. We’ll talk through what you can do to prepare before leaving home, show you how to make feather sticks and teach you how to use a fire steel and birch bark to get your fire going. In this week’s blog, we’re taking a look at fire lighting in the wind and rain. Over the next four weeks, we will be looking at fires, fire lighting methods, materials, and tips.
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