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#284176 - 04/07/17 02:42 AM Re: Optimum Fire Starting Rig [Re: bacpacjac]
clearwater Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/19/05
Posts: 1181
Loc: Channeled Scablands
Originally Posted By: bacpacjac
It's pouring rain here again today, and it's got me thinking about this thread and making one of those fires in tough conditions.

One thing I try to always include in my fire kit is a piece of aluminum foil. Finding a dry piece of ground can be really difficult sometimes. I always make a platform out of branches for my campfires, but when it's wet like this they can suck the life out of your tinder. A little something to get it off the ground can really help, and aluminum is one of those tiny and light items that can easily be added to a fire kit. It can also make a great windscreen. I've never tried it, but an Altoids tin type container should work just as well, I suppose.


I like waxed paper for the same purpose, and it is also a great tinder.

I think it was the meth heads that ruined the strike anywhere matches. UCO looks to have stopped making theirs too.


Edited by clearwater (04/07/17 04:03 AM)
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#284177 - 04/07/17 10:08 PM Re: Optimum Fire Starting Rig [Re: hikermor]
GoatMan Offline
Member

Registered: 08/17/07
Posts: 119
I carry a mini bic and firesteel or sparklite when out. But in cold wet conditions, hunting, snow shoeing, winter camping, I always take along a small flare. I've never packed anything more effective in starting a fire fast. Ideal for those emergency conditions. My Walmart carries them, several other sources do as well.

http://www.orionsignals.com/product-groups/fire-starters/product/97.html




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#284178 - 04/08/17 07:08 AM Re: Optimum Fire Starting Rig [Re: hikermor]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3152
Loc: Big Sky Country
I have a few of those flares, too. Good stuff! I've only used one, a few years ago, to test them to see how well they worked. They work well indeed, burning long and hot.
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“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

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#284179 - 04/08/17 01:21 PM Re: Optimum Fire Starting Rig [Re: Phaedrus]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Flares will definitely do the job, but when cold and wet are in the forecast, I switch to liquid fuel and a stove. the liquid fuel (either white gas or kerosene) will get a roaring fire going, if one is needed. Discretion is advised....

I am nostalgic for carbide lamps, standard equipment for caving until a couple of decades ago. They provided light, heat, and a live flame and you were guaranteed a fire, if necessary.
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Geezer in Chief

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#284180 - 04/09/17 03:01 AM Re: Optimum Fire Starting Rig [Re: hikermor]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3152
Loc: Big Sky Country
I will add that even with a road flare proper fire prep is necessary. Just for yucks I used the flare to try get some very green wet wood going- no dice! You still need to get dry or at least dry-ish fuel to successfully make a fire. Under reasonable conditions a person should be able to reliably make fire with five seconds of naked flame. In poor conditions it's great to have a margin of safety by having access to a longer lasting ignition source (like the flare) but you still need to perform your prep properly.


Edited by Phaedrus (04/10/17 01:23 AM)
Edit Reason: Spelling/clarity
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

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#284181 - 04/09/17 12:10 PM Re: Optimum Fire Starting Rig [Re: Phaedrus]
gonewiththewind Offline
Veteran

Registered: 10/14/08
Posts: 1517
The prep is the most critical piece of the task.

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