Actually, most of my experience is outside California - in the coniferous forests of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, as well as a bit of experience early on in Minnesota. For what is basically an arid climate, a lot of time was spend in very damp and drippy conditions at higher elevations, often during winter time and during SAR work. I am sure conditions in eastern hardwood environments, where I do not have extensive time, are different.

Some years ago, I figured out that if fire was really critical, it was a whole lot easier, effective, and safer to pack a lightweight stove and fuel - problem solved, one way or another. If the stove crapped out, I still had a plentiful supply of "boy scout fire starter." With the wide variety of stoves and fuels available today, that is a better and better option.

You raise a really important issue - the techniques and practices that work superbly in one environment may not be best for another - and most of us are at least somewhat localized.