How to Make a Fire: the Complete Guide

🔥 Fire

How to Make a Fire: the Complete Guide

Fire is the oldest survival skill. It keeps you warm, makes water safe, cooks food and signals for help. Learn it in order: safety first, then tinder, lays, lighting with and without a lighter, the bow drill, fire in the rain and keeping it going.

⚠️ Before you practise: check local fire rules. In Portugal and much of southern Europe open fires are banned in the critical period (usually 1 July to 30 September, and on any high-risk day). Practise only where and when it is legal, with water beside you.

Fire Safety and Putting a Fire Out

Step 1 · 5 min

Fire Safety and Putting a Fire Out

Control, extinguish and never leave a hot spot behind

Fire Basics: Tinder, Kindling and Fuel

Step 2 · 5 min

Fire Basics: Tinder, Kindling and Fuel

Build a small, controlled fire that lights first time

Natural Tinder: What Catches a Spark

Step 3 · 6 min

Natural Tinder: What Catches a Spark

Find, test and carry the fine fuel that turns a spark into flame

Fire Lays: Teepee, Log Cabin, Lean-to, Star

Step 4 · 6 min

Fire Lays: Teepee, Log Cabin, Lean-to, Star

Choose the right fire structure for lighting, cooking, wind or a long burn

Fire Without a Lighter

Step 5 · 7 min

Fire Without a Lighter

Use a ferro rod, flint and steel, a battery or the sun to make fire

Friction Fire: The Bow Drill

Step 6 · 8 min

Friction Fire: The Bow Drill

Make an ember with wood alone, and understand why it takes practice

Fire in the Rain

Step 7 · 7 min

Fire in the Rain

Find dry fuel, carve feather sticks and protect a fire in wet weather

Keeping a Fire Going and Cooking on It

Step 8 · 6 min

Keeping a Fire Going and Cooking on It

Feed a fire, cook on coals, save embers and put it out properly

Wildfire: Before, During, After

Step 9 · 7 min

Wildfire: Before, During, After

Clear the ground, leave early, know what to do if trapped

Games

Build a Fire

Build a Fire

Light it safely, keep it going, put it out properly

Will It Catch a Spark?

Will It Catch a Spark?

Spot the tinder that turns a spark into flame

Fire Without a Lighter

Fire Without a Lighter

Bow drill, ferro rod and feather stick, step by step

🛒 Gear we recommend

🔥Fire starterSee on Amazon →🪔Storm lighterSee on Amazon →🧯Stormproof matchesSee on Amazon →🪵Tinder cubesSee on Amazon →🧯Fire blanketSee on Amazon →🧯Fire extinguisherSee on Amazon →🪚Folding sawSee on Amazon →🔪Bushcraft knifeSee on Amazon →

See all the gear →

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