3/4/13

A Fire Starting Primer for the Backcountry

survival skills

nature

self

about

posts

comments

You are here: Home / Survival Skills / Fire / A Fire Starting Primer for the Backcountry

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Join 14 other subscribers
Email Address Subscribe

A Fire Starting Primer for the Backcountry

A fire is a critical element in any backcountry survival situation. Should you find yourself in any such circumstance where your safety and survival is dependant on getting a fire going, are you ready and prepared to get the job done? Before heading out for adventures this question has to be addressed. It is always best to be prepared and trained before you find yourself in the bad situation. Take the time to spark up a few practice fires and pack the needed fire supplies before entering the wilderness.

Related Posts
Top 4 Fire Structures Firecraft: The Fire Triangle 6 Reasons to Learn Fire Making Skills Steps to Make a Fire Outdoor Survival: How To Start Fire With A Pop Can And Chocolate

What to Pack, and Where to Pack It

Any wilderness travel should include: a knife or multi-tool, extra food water, extra layers including a hat and gloves, navigation device such as map and compass or GPS ideally both, flashlight, space bag, signally device fire starter with a lighter or waterproofed matches. One thing many wilderness travelers fail to think of is where they pack all this gear. It is too easy to pack it, but then keep it in a dry bag or off the body. It is critical that many of these essentials be kept on the body in the case that if separated from a raft/canoe or method of transport you have the needed supplies. Obviously, any fire starter like Vaseline soaked cotton balls, or magnesium blocks and shavings should be kept in a baggy, then in a pocket.

Recent Posts
Survival Kit Component: Magnesium Stick & Vaseline Cotton Balls Urban Invisibility: Hidden Within Sight Learn To Improvise Insulation Roses: The Medicinal Properties Of This Highly Popular and Romantic Flower Survival Shelter: How To Make A Teepee

Start the Fire

Your fire should adhere to the age-old adage of location, location, location. Anticipate any condition that could occur that would impede the fires burn. Examples include: wind tunnel areas in caves, under snow-covered trees, or in exposed areas where heavy rain fall may occur. Next, dig a small pit and begin collecting small dry twigs, spruce or pinecones and leaves. Spruce and pinecones are some of the best natural fire starter you can use. If no cones are on the ground, find conifers and scrape off any pitch or gum seeping from the bark. Smear the pitch over small twigs. If you can only find green branches, strip off the bark and cut them in half to expose the inner tissues of the wood. Stack the twigs into a teepee shape and place the spruce cones or fire starter material into the center. Light the starter and let the flames push upward, lighting the teepee. Be prepared with slightly larger twigs and branches, and place them in the conical teepee shape over the flames. It is important not to add too much to the fire as the flames could get smothered out. As the fire gains strength, begin adding larger pieces of wood. Let the large pieces burn down so the dug out pit has a consistent pile of glowing coals. T hese coals emit the maximum amount of heat, necessary for survival.

Tags

antiinflammatory a n t idepr essa n t

a lt er a t iv e

analgesic

antioxidant antiseptic antispasmodic antiviral astringent carminative

a n t ifu n g a l antimicrobial ch ola g og u e

decongestant diaphoretic digestive

cold common cold cough

diuretic expectorant febr ifu g e

fev er hunting hy pothermia la x a t iv e outdoors

fire firecraft food headache health heat h ea t st r ok e Herb hiking

sedative sense shelter sig n a llin g start fire surv iv al gear survival kit tonic

water
Twitter

Keep It Going
The coals provide the heat, and the flames provide the needed signal for any potential aircraft searching for you in a lost/survival situation. During prime search times, gather green conifer boughs and place them onto the fire. These create tremendous amounts of smoke that billows up, providing a good visual indicator of your location. When you find yourself in any situation like this, keep calm, maintain a positive mental outlook and use your practiced fire starting skills to keep you warm, safe and alive.

Like

Tw eet

Share

24 hours to end the bankers tax dodge -Tell EU ministers to make them pay their fair share avaaz.org/en/bankers_pay 5 days ago Traditional Finnish log construction wp.me/p1Z6v0-LU via @wordpressdotcom 5 days ago Getting Into My Stride: A Quest For Perfect Outdoor Trousers frontierbushcraft.com/2013/02/26/per via @FrontierBush 5 days ago La Ruta de la Muerte en.withoutflying.com/2013/02/22/la- via

www.primalkb.com/2314/a-firestarting-primer-for-the-backcountry

1/2

3/4/13
More
FILED UNDER: FIRE

A Fire Starting Primer for the Backcountry

@withoutflying 1 week ago I just signed up for //staq's private beta to build great #freetoplay games. Get your invite: staq.io. @StaqIo 1 week ago

T A GGED W IT H: FIRE, FIRECRA FT , SIGNA LLING, ST A RT FIRE, SURV IV A L KIT

Leave a Reply
Enter your comment here...

In a nutshell
Life is the bare essentials: physical and mental well-being, homeothermy, water, food and a tribal society. To live a such life you need knowledge, wisdom, adaptability, strength and love. Learn survival skills for everyday life in the wilderness. About Sandro Ponticelli & primalKB

Meta
Log in Entries RSS Comments RSS WordPress.org

Blogroll
myHealthbox Seed 01 WithoutFlying

Return to top of page

Copyright 2013 Genesis Framework WordPress Log in

www.primalkb.com/2314/a-firestarting-primer-for-the-backcountry

2/2