How To Make Fire In The Rain

We feel the need of having a fire around us mainly in two seasons - monsoon and winters. Now, imagine a situation in which you have a combination of the two - say a rain in the winter season. In such a scenario, a good fire becomes all the more important. However, starting a fire in the rain is no easy task as it can be extremely trying and frustrating if you are not patient. The atmosphere is full of moisture and the logs are mostly semi-dry, if not completely damp. What to do now? Simple, read this article! If you want to know how to make fire in the rain, without putting in too much effort, the following instructions will surely come handy.

Starting A Fire In Rain

Supplies Needed

Airtight Bag
Dry Tinder
Waterproof Matches
Windproof Lighter
Fire-Starter Paste/ Sticks
Axe
Wood

Instructions

You need to keep dry tinder in a sealable, airtight bag, along with waterproof matches, windproof lighter and fire-starter paste or sticks.
In order to find dry or semidry wood, look under rocky ledges and/or under bushes. Be sure to collect enough wood to keep your fire going.
With the help of fire-starter paste or sticks, start the fire. If you don't have these, pine needles, bark or paper from books would prove to be helpful.
Once the fire gets going, be sure to have plenty of tinder or small sticks to feed your fire. Do not use fire-starter paste at this time, since it burns very quickly.
While you are making the fire strong enough, lay the wet logs near it. It will help dry them up before use.
After you have a hot bed of glowing coals and embers, add few damp logs to the burning fire, one at a time.
Now, all you can do is wait. If you have followed the above steps properly, your fire will start burning high soon enough.

Tips

Using a pocketknife, whistle away at wet sticks until you get to the dry sections.
Keep a close eye on your fire and do not forget to feed it often.
Break a twig or a stick in half to test the damp wood for dryness. If the wood snaps crisply, it is dry enough inside to burn it.
Carry a good backpacking stove and plenty of fuel along with you.
Never ever break off twigs and branches from a standing tree. Use only the wood that has been fallen on the ground.
If the rain is creating puddles, set your fire on a raised area of ground or up on a rock.
Never set a fire near alpine trees. It can take hundreds of years for alpine areas to recover from fire.
Use cotton balls covered with petroleum jelly to protect the tinder and make the fire burn hotter and longer. The petroleum jelly protects the cotton from moisture and in turn, becomes extra fuel for the tinder.

How to Cite

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