"Hot" tip for Fire Starting

[longstevo]

Alright. 

I'm understanding how to spark a fire.  But what happens if you're out in weather like it was this weekend, and EVERYTHING is soaked?  Wood, branches, lichen, twigs...everything? 

I have no problem starting a fire, but sustaining it would be difficult at best, I'd think.

[GlennGTR]

There is always dry tinder to be had if you know where to look. Use the force Luke.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Be one with nature you will, my young padawaan.

[Huntbear]

Dry tinder and wood can be found if you dig deep enough... like in old stumps, etc...

[ICEMAN]

Alright. 

I'm understanding how to spark a fire.  But what happens if you're out in weather like it was this weekend, and EVERYTHING is soaked?  Wood, branches, lichen, twigs...everything? 

I have no problem starting a fire, but sustaining it would be difficult at best, I'd think.

Here is a story I wrote years ago on this subject. You just have to keep moving materials into and nearby your fire so as it burns, it is warming, thawing and drying your next fuel.... 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,16151.0.html

[high country]

keep your cotton balls in wax paper in a film can or pill bottle. the wax paper is easy to remove and burns like that is its job. there is not much better then a flare for starting a fire, but I will not carry one around due to weight/bulk. I keep a tampon on my quad and sled, I can dip it in the tank and get a fire going via gasoline.

[longstevo]

There is always dry tinder to be had if you know where to look. Use the force Luke.

...you ask the impossible...

lol 

[Todd_ID]

So I just tried the cotton ball and Vaseline thing to see how it compared to my current idea.  The cotton ball ignited instantly and burned for 3:10 until it was below a usable flame.  The average flame height was 6" and 1" diameter. 

I use old denture material for fire starting, so I thought I'd burn one to see how it compared to the cotton ball.  The denture was harder to light: needing a direct flame for 2-3 seconds.  It burned with a 8" x 2.5" flame for 8:40 before it could be considered useless (less than 2" flame).  Talk to your dentist about where to get the denture material; a buddy gave me some chuncks that he got from his dentist.  There's extra material every time they pour a mold to make a set of dentures.  It weighs basically nothing and should be free.  Each piece is around 3" diameter and .5" thick.  It's hard plastic, so moisture is not a concern.

As good as the denture material did, I still made 4 bags of the cotton balls for my friends.  I'll carry some cotton balls to get the dentures burning as I think I'll be able to get the cotton ball to burn with the magnesium stick but not the denture.

[MikeWalking]

Fuzz sticks.   Take a branch and cut into it with your knife, you have a good one right? Cut into it and flip up the cuts like flaps. Even if it's rain soaked you can expose dry wood within. You're also exposing more surface area for moisture to escape from if it's really wet.

[LoveofGame]

After reading all the posts, I had to post another idea....

animal hair... most people own an animal, right?
a candle.... unscented or scented, it doesn't really matter
and an egg carton - don't use the Styrofoam kind

Once you have your supplies, put the animal hair in the carton, pour candle wax over the hair, and then cut out each egg holder... now you'll have 12 fire starters, which can be used on a raining day or a dry day. You can easily take these with you because they're small in size.

[robodad]

Hand sanitizer is also a great fire starter and also a first aid antiseptic but it will sting a bit !! Comes in small bottles and lights really fast too !! I keep some twigs (actually I cut some 1/4" dowels into 6' lengths) and drier lint vacuum packed in a tight bundle. The dowels can be used for tent stakes if needed too !! 

[Wild Bill]

Hand sanitizer is also a great fire starter and also a first aid antiseptic but it will sting a bit !! Comes in small bottles and lights really fast too !! I keep some twigs (actually I cut some 1/4" dowels into 6' lengths) and drier lint vacuum packed in a tight bundle. The dowels can be used for tent stakes if needed too !! 

Works great unless its sub zero out The stuff dont freeze... Back when I was a Survival Instructor for the USAF we used to get students with frost nip and even frost bite because of this stuff.......
Dry wood? If you can find a hemlock the needle thin bows at the base could withstand a monsoon before getting moisture... If not, breack some quarter size and smaller fir, pine etc... and split with your knife...

[spikehunter]

can't beat a flare it's like a torch for 15 min. will dry the wood then ignite it 2

[MikeWalking]

animal hair?   stinkystinkystinky


Dryer Lint. clean the lint filter out..

[Hornseeker]

I can get Fuse's Doug...am good buds with some of the fire guys here! I think I'll throw one in...

As for dry wood, like was mentioned...you can find it. UNder old dead logs, under super thick trees. The best is the dead branches near the base of big live treess....they may be wet on teh outside, but are pretty darn dry and quick to dry out near the fire you get started.