How to start a fire in the rain

[S.Clancy]

I've started fires multiple times in the conditions described with the Coghlans Fuel Tablets. I just put a 12 pack in my first aid kit and a couple lighters, done.

 

[Chris in TN]

Tagged.

Like everyone else, the two guys that died have me really rethinking our gear. But I also don't want to 'carry my fears'. I know that if we get wet/cold I have to be mentally ready to build a fire *before* it's an emergency. But we have redundant capabilities there, including multiple lighters, a jetboil type stove, trioxane tabs in every pack, rain gear, and a tarp for emergency shelter to get out of the rain.

I have some mini road flares but haven't committed to sticking one in the pack yet. I think I got a 12-pack from Amazon at some point in the past.

 

[kevingm1987]

Weber fire cubes. Used for lighting charcoal when smoking. I carry these everywhere. Have them in almost every back pack I own and every form of transportation. They weigh nothing, and hold a flame for close to 5 minutes. Cheap too. $10cdn for 24 of them.

 

[MuleyFever]

Exactly where my mind goes.

I can see the need for a fire if you don't have a sleeping bag and shelter.

But if you do have that, a fire is an external heat source and an inefficient way to raise core body temperature.

Consuming warm food and drink is an internal heat source that will immediately begin raising your core temperature.

Sitting in the rain trying to light sticks on fire seems like a waste of energy to me.

I rarely carry a stove anymore. From a survival standpoint I may need to reconsider this if I am hunting where rain is likely and the temp could drop unexpectedly. Being able to eat/drink something warm is good advice. Could also boil water to fill a bottle and throw it in the sleeping bag.

 

[doc holiday13]

I've heard pine tree sap is a natural fire starter.

Its amazing for starting fires. In ID last year it rained all night and all the next day. We hike up to an overlook and hunkered down. I never considered using the dry sap on the side of trees for fire starting because in the east I don't hunt a lot of evergreen heavy area's or remotely.

I would actually recommend carrying pyro putty(the larger pouches, not single use) for phyically keeping a flame, but in really wet conditions, you could burn through a bunch of the stuff. So if you're in bad bad, wet weather, I would collect a lot of sap too. I'm like a large handful of sap so that all pieces can be lit off of the pyro putty and you have a lot of heat going to dry out the tinder and wood. Pin sap is super easy to find out west

 

[OKHunter84]

I always have a butane lighter that I fill before the trip. Throw a couple little Bic lighters in other spots. These little fire starters work great. For an 18 pack it's $6. Kinda hard to beat and doesn't require any prep.

 

[journeyman713]

Exactly where my mind goes.

I can see the need for a fire if you don't have a sleeping bag and shelter.

But if you do have that, a fire is an external heat source and an inefficient way to raise core body temperature.

Consuming warm food and drink is an internal heat source that will immediately begin raising your core temperature.

Sitting in the rain trying to light sticks on fire seems like a waste of energy to me.

You may have missed the point.
It's about starting an Emergency fire, rain being to most challenging of conditions.

Not as much about standing in the rain, although you'd be surprised what the warmth on you frozen hands would do, even it the rain.

 

[LongWayAround]

You may have missed the point.
It's about starting an Emergency fire, rain being to most challenging of conditions.

Not as much about standing in the rain, although you'd be surprised what the warmth on you frozen hands would do, even it the rain.

I don't think I did miss the point. I think the target is missed by the goal of getting a fire versus getting warm.

 

[mt terry d]

To Build a Fire by Jack London

 

[LongWayAround]

I rarely carry a stove anymore. From a survival standpoint I may need to reconsider this if I am hunting where rain is likely and the temp could drop unexpectedly. Being able to eat/drink something warm is good advice. Could also boil water to fill a bottle and throw it in the sleeping bag.

I often consider leaving it behind just for a space savings in my pack, but I'm too weak to give up having a hot cup of coffee.

 

[SMOKYMTN]

I've heard pine tree sap is a natural fire starter.

We call it fatwood where I'm from but yes, it's usually one of my first finds in the backcountry. I always carry some homemade firestarter made from wood shavings and melted Vaseline, but I always keep an eye out for an opportunity to grab some fatwood. By far the best fire starter out there and it's provided by nature.

 

[Sacrvrrat72]

1/2 of a flare. I always bring one if conditions could be bad.

 

[Weldor]

Magnesium chips and a lighter. posted on the missing hunters also. eBay is a good source if you don't have a machine shop close by.

 

[dlee56]

I don't think I did miss the point. I think the target is missed by the goal of getting a fire versus getting warm.

The thread is titled “How to start a fire in the rain”

Maybe you can start a new thread titled “When and when not to start a fire”

 

[journeyman713]

I don't think I did miss the point. I think the target is missed by the goal of getting a fire versus getting warm.

Again, starting an Emergency fire, in cold wet conditions, for warmth.
Could you do it, if you wanted to? Sounds unlikely, and a non-option for most people.

I just indicated how it's done, from experience.
Take what you want from it.

I hope it saves someone here. Probably will, if they have it.

 

[LongWayAround]

The thread is titled “How to start a fire in the rain”

Astute observation.

You may also have noticed that I piggybacked another comment that making a fire is probably not the best bet for actually getting warm and dry.

 

[journeyman713]

Astute observation.

You may also have noticed that I piggybacked another comment that making a fire is probably not the best bet for actually getting warm and dry.

Warm and dry sounds nice, are you keeping in mind that means the pup tent in your pack?
Verses a fire first, then the tent.

 

[dlee56]

Astute observation.

You may also have noticed that I piggybacked another comment that making a fire is probably not the best bet for actually getting warm and dry.

Again, if you want to argue about when to make a fire or not you guys can start a new thread instead of getting this one off topic.

 

[mt terry d]

BIC style lighters don't always work
Almost never work when it's really cold.

 

[LongWayAround]

Warm and dry sounds nice, are you keeping in mind that means the pup tent in your pack?
Verses a fire first, then the tent.

Yea... Per the post I originally quoted.

"a fire first, then the tent" implies that there is in fact a shelter. Any time spent outside of that shelter is a time that one could be out of the rain. If there is a tent, I assume there is also a sleeping bag or quilt.

External heat is less efficient than internal heat.

I'm not shitting on anyone's fire solutions. I keep a couple of trioxane tablets and a lighters in my pack.

My opinion is just that the fire is a misplaced priority.

I apologize for derailing this. There are some good idea for fire starters in here.