I ran across something called "Insta-Fire" today. It's a new product that seems to bridge the gap between tinder and kindling. It is a mixture of pumice, wood pellets, and paraffin. It may be a little bulky for lightweight-minded hikers, but could be quite acceptable for stowing in a car or bushplane.

I checked their homepage and while the stuff is not too terribly expensive, I wouldn't use it for run-of-the-mill firemaking. However it may be a key tool in that worst case scenario where you desperately need a good fire, fast, but everything is soaked. One of those 1.8 ounce packets could well be a godsend. However would it be any better than a fat bar of trioxane or a wad of 5 petroleum jelly cotton balls? Dunno yet. It would be a potential deal-breaker for me if it won't light with a ferro rod and requires open flame.

No affiliation, just looks like a potentially useful tool.

What do you pyromaniacs say?