Peter Kummerfeldt just addressed this in his blog:
Outdoor Safe Blog Another option I have used in very wet environments is a railroad flare.
I have also carried tinder and kindling inside my clothes to dry it.
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Cutting into the center of larger pieces of wood will remove the wet outside. I do not agree with this advice. I specificly disagree with this advice because it is incomplete.
Cotton wool balls make a good, easy to use firestarter. However [b]
they are not sustained flame. Substained flame means a firestarter that burns hot for several minuites. In practice that means Esbit, Wetfire, barbeque firelighters or the like.
I very strongly suggest that anyone reading this thread reference "David Canterbury" and/or "Wilderness Outfitters" on YouTube.
You will find that an eye opener.