Lighting a fire: an overview of foolproof methods

Lighting a fire is an important skill that can come in handy in a variety of situations, from picnics in the woods to extreme situations. Often, the fire goes out when lighting it. You can light a fire with matches or a lighter quickly or even without using matches. Let's look at a few surefire ways to help you start a fire in any conditions.

How to quickly light a fire with matches

It is important that the paper and small branches are dry. There should be quite a few of them. Use dry matches. How to light a fire:

• You can prepare several matches in advance so that you can use them quickly when needed.
• Light the match and lower it slightly with the flame down, then it is less likely to go out. It is important that the flame is protected from the wind, which can extinguish it. Carefully bring the match to the wood.
• Light the branches and paper from below so that the fire can spread upward.

It is advisable to light the fire in several places at once. Then there is a greater chance that the fire will quickly catch. It is not convenient to do this alone, so it is better to light the fire together.

How to light a fire if you don't have matches

Flint and steel is an ancient method that has stood the test of time. When a metal object strikes flint, sparks are produced. You can take a small piece of flint with you on a hike or find it in nature. Dry wood or a branch and kindling for the fire will serve as fuel: small branches, dry moss, and bark.

The process of lighting a fire:

• Prepare branches, paper, and firewood and place them in a dry place.
• Hold the flint and strike it with a fire striker, directing the sparks onto the kindling.
• When the kindling begins to smolder, gently blow on it until a flame appears.

The Firesteel emergency fire-starting kit is a modern tool that creates sparks when a metal rod is rubbed against flammable material.

Fire lighting process:

• Prepare the firewood.
• Run the metal rod across the flammable material to create sparks.
• Direct the sparks onto the firewood and blow on them until a flame appears.

A magnifying glass or lens is needed to focus the sun's rays – a method familiar to many from childhood. It will only work in sunny weather. Glass from glasses or a camera lens will do.

How to light a fire:

• Prepare the firewood.
• Focus the sun's rays through the lens on one spot with branches and paper in the fire pit.
• Keep the beam on the firewood until it starts to smolder, then gently blow on it until a flame appears.

A battery and foil or steel wool are needed to create a short circuit, which causes ignition. Materials needed: a battery, preferably a 9-volt battery, foil or steel wool, dry branches, and paper. Ignition process:

• Prepare the firewood.
• Connect the battery terminals with foil or steel wool.
• Direct the spark or flame onto the firewood and blow on it until a fire starts.

Use a battery and steel wire to create a short circuit and produce a spark. Connect the ends of the steel wire to the battery terminals. The wire will heat up and start to spark. Direct the sparks at the firewood and blow on them until a flame appears.

Regardless of which method you choose, it is important to remember about safety, especially in nature. It is important to have fire-starting tools in your backpack or emergency bag. Then you will be able to start a fire quickly without fail.