How to Start a Fire in Wet Weather (and the Best Fire Starters)
Getting a fire going is easy on a dry summer evening. It is a different story when the wood is damp, the wind is up and your hands are cold. The right fire starter turns a frustrating half hour into a two-minute job. Here is what to look for and how to use one.
Types of fire starters
Matches and lighters
They are cheap and simple, but they give you a flame for only a few seconds. Matches fail when wet, and lighters can quit in the cold or at high altitude. They are a source of ignition, not a fire starter.
Ferro rods
A ferrocerium rod throws hot sparks in any weather and lasts thousands of strikes. Sparks alone will not light damp wood, though, so you still need good tinder.
Tinder products
This is where fire rope, fire plugs and cubes come in. They catch a spark or flame easily and burn hot for minutes, long enough to dry out and light your kindling.
What to look for in a fire starter
- Waterproof: it should light even after getting wet.
- Burn time: longer burn time gives damp kindling a chance to catch.
- Shelf life: anything going in an emergency kit should last years without going bad.
- Size and weight: it should fit in a pocket, pack or glovebox.
- Number of fires: one package should light many fires, not just one.
Why we like Black Beard fire starter rope
Black Beard Fire Starter Rope checks every box. A single rope lights more than 50 fires, gives over 4.5 hours of total burn time, is 100% waterproof and never expires. It is made in the USA and coils up small enough for any kit.
How to start a fire in wet weather
- Find a dry spot. Clear wet leaves and build on rock, bare dirt or a platform of dry sticks.
- Gather three sizes of fuel. Collect pencil-thin twigs, thumb-thick sticks and wrist-thick logs. Dead branches still on the tree are usually drier than wood on the ground.
- Split wet wood. The inside of a damp log is often dry. Split it and use the inner pieces first.
- Prepare your starter. Cut a 1 to 2 inch piece of fire rope and fluff the end so it catches easily.
- Light it and build up. Light the starter with a spark or flame, then lean the small twigs over it in a teepee. Add bigger sticks only once the small ones are burning well.
- Protect it from wind. Use your body, a rock or your pack as a windbreak until the fire is established.
Build a simple fire kit
Keep a small waterproof bag in your pack, truck and home emergency kit with:
- A ferro rod or a lighter, plus a backup
- Black Beard fire starter rope
- A small knife for cutting rope and making shavings
- A few cotton balls with petroleum jelly as backup tinder
Fire safety
Always check local fire restrictions before you light up, keep water nearby, and drown and stir your fire until it is cold to the touch before you leave.
Shop camping and outdoor gear at Overstock HQ. Every order ships free within the U.S.
