Firecraft in Wilderness
In many survival situations, the ability to start a fire can make the difference between life and death. Fire fullfils many needs: It will keep you warm, you can use it to cook food on fire. Fire can be used to purify water, sterilize bandages, signal for rescue or provide protection from animals. It also brings comfort for your mind - fire builds a feeling of security. You can use fire to produce tools and weapons too.
Fire however can be dangerous. It can cause forest fires or destroy essential equipment. It can also cause burns or carbon monoxide poisoning when used improperly.
Fire triangle
Before learning how to build a fire it is good to understand basic fire principles. We can call them the fire triangle, because to light a fire three ingredients are necessary. These are:
- Heat
- Fuel
- Oxygen (air)
When lighting a fire, you must ensure you take into account all off the above ingredients. Removing any of them will extinguish fire instantly.