Fire-Lighting in the Wet.

 

• If the ground is wet or there is snow on the ground place a few 1" logs across to build the fire on.
• As in the photo above, with wet conditions placing four 2" - 3" logs around the fire in a diamond-shape dries these out as the fire burns. 
• Using a wig-wam fire burns very quickly because air circulates easily: this is good to start with and then push the whole thing down and lay logs across.

Starting a fire in very wet conditions -

The one time we did not manage to start a fire was in conditions of torrential rain; in this we could not even light one with fire-lighters since as soon as the fire started it got soaked and went out. This was when we were out for a day with minimal gear with us. 

• By far the easiest thing to do in these conditions would be to put up a tarp for some shelter; even if we had carried a survival-blanket this would have been enough to do this. The fire could then be lit just under the shelter.
• For small kindling here it would be wise to get small logs and split them, or take the bark off an cut slithers of wood. Such trees as birch have a waterproof bark (which is inflammable) and when this is removed the wood underneath is fairly dry.
• Ideally, being wise to what can happen in rainy conditions I would now carry some dry tinder, eco fire-lighters, and some fat-wood, as well as a Survival Blanket. 

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about fire-lighting is to make sure everything is prepared before you light the fire. Prepare by collecting the following and setting them out ready -

1. Tinder.
2. Very small twigs 1/8" to 1/4".
3. Larger twigs 3/8" to 1/2"
4. 1" logs.
5. 2" logs.
6. Larger logs.

Preparation is everything since without this you will have to rush around getting the wood, and in the meantime the fire may well go out and you will then need to start all over again. 

***Collecting tinder when the weather is warm and dry would be the best way to ensure that you are always prepared. This should be stored in a dry container and carried with your fire-lighting kit. This applies to fat-wood too which can be collected and carried with you in small quantities. 

***The thin slithers of birch-bark (as above) can be easily torn from the tree without damage, and they have an inflammable substance which lights even when wet. Carry these with you as tinder. The tops of Rosebay Willow-herb (Fireweed) are also excellent for fire-starting. 

This is a lean-to shelter which could be adapted to suit very wet conditions under which you can more easily start a fire. What would be needed is to raise the front up by about two feet, and then raise the back up to around two feet from the ground (assuming it is not too windy). This would make a canopy, under which you can light a fire - make sure the tarp is raised high enough not to get sparks from the fire (use hardwoods rather than softwoods if you can since they do not give off so many sparks). 

*** Conifers are evergreens, so use birch, beech, oak etc. if you can under these circumstances. 

With snow on the ground place 1" logs down and put the tinder on top of the logs; this keeps an area dry to light the fire. Just one point here, it is best not to put a fire under thick conifer trees with snow-covered branches. When the snow melts it buckets down on top of you - tried it and found out!