"Without good materials, there is no fire. In the wild, it is not enough to have a lighter or a flint. You also need to know how to identify, gather, and prepare the materials that will allow your fire to catch and last."
In this article, discover the 3 essential types of materials to make a fire, even in the most difficult conditions.
1. The fire starter: the spark of ignition
It is the most heat-sensitive material. It must be ultra dry to ignite with a simple spark. The most well-known? The charred fabric.
How to obtain it: take a piece of cotton, heat it until it blackens without burning, then store it in an airtight container.
Other natural options: birch bark, dried moss, ferns, fine feathers, thistle down, plant fibers, dried conifer needles, wax paper, cotton…
💡 Always add a little fire starter to your survival kit. It’s a key element.
2. The ignition product: to initiate combustion
It is the light wood or the easily flammable material that is added after the fire starter. It is used to raise the temperature and to prepare the ground for the real fuel.
Examples: small twigs, wood chips, wood soaked in oil or grease, cardboard, fragment of wood core.
The goal: to obtain a powerful flame that does not extinguish at the first breath of wind.
Make sure everything is dry to avoid startup failures.
3. The fuel: the duration over time
"Once the fire is started, it must be maintained. This is where the least flammable materials come into play, but they burn for a long time and in a stable manner."
Good options: dry logs, large branch, dry tree core, peat, dried herbs in bundles, charcoal, dried animal droppings, animal fat…
The right fuel ensures a constant heat, ideal for cooking or warming up sustainably.
Conclusion
Making a fire is not just striking a match. It is a logical sequence between 3 materials: the fire starter, the ignition product, and the fuel.
By understanding their role and preparing your equipment in advance, you maximize your chances of starting an effective and sustainable fire .
Anticipating is surviving. Always remember to gather a bit of each material around you… before you need it.
