1. Creating a Backcountry Fire with
Flint and Steel
Emblez Longoria

2. Introduction
• Verizon Communications consultant Emblez
Longoria takes an enterprise-wide approach to
managing the firm’s security resources. An
experienced outdoorsman, Emblez Longoria has an
interest in bushcraft, which encompasses the skills
necessary to ensure survival in adverse situations.
In addition to securing food and hydration, staying
warm through creating fire is one of the essential
elements of wilderness survival. While experienced
backcountry wanderers carry matches in airtight
pouches, even waterproof and strike-anywhere
matches can have issues lighting.

3. Backcountry Fire
• Flint and steel are a much more reliable source
of fire, as the force created by steel striking a
very hard rock creates tiny shavings that ignite.
The spark must be caught by something
receptive to catching fire, such as a thick dried
stalk or charred piece of wood. A char cloth, a
piece of fabric cooked with no oxygen, is also
suitable for catching sparks. Once the charred
material combusts, it is important to have a
small nest of twigs or bed of dry grass ready to
create a real fire.