This document outlines essential fire crafting techniques and technologies, emphasizing the importance of fire for warmth, cooking, and safety. It details various fire ignition methods, including primitive, traditional, modern, and unorthodox techniques, while also covering fire requirements and construction. The document advocates for responsible fire management and preparedness, including creating fire kits and considering special circumstances for fire lighting.

1. Fire Craft 101 Kevin Estela Survival Instructor Wilderness Learning Center 435 Sandy Knoll Road Chateaugay, NY 12920 (518) 497-3179 www.weteachu.com

2. Table of Contents The Importance of Fire Fire Requirements Primitive Fire Technology Traditional Fire Technology Modern Fire Technology Unorthodox Fire Technology Tinder Fuel Fire Construction Responsible Fire Craft All-ways Prepared, Prepared Always (Kits) Special Considerations Notes

3. The Importance of Fire Warmth (maintaining 98.6 Degrees Fahrenheit) Signaling (in groups of three or using smoke) Cooking (cooked food digests easier) Water (Boil water for at least 10 minutes) Knife (Fire can burn through materials) Emotional comfort

4. Fire Requirements Building a fire requires on a few basic elements. 1.Fuel 2.Heat 3.Oxygen If one of these elements is not present in the triangle, a fire cannot exist. If you can’t get a fire lit, what are you lacking? Ask yourself what is needed.

5. Primitive Fire Technology Bow Drill Hand Drill Fire Plough Begin with the end in mind. A coal will burn slowly. Take your time. A coal burns at about 800 degrees. Primitive skills are not easy to learn. Be patient. Learn the importance of being prepared. Bow Drill Tips: -Work up to speed slowly. -Maintain good form. -Use full strokes. -Learn to identify problems. -Have tinder bundle nearby. -Be patient when the smoke starts. -Use the same wood for the drill and the fireboard. -Keep the string low to the ground for stability. -Wrap your drill to the outside of the bow, not the inside.

6. Traditional Fire Technology Flint and steel -Sparks are approximately 800 degrees. -Requires char cloth, jute twine or other tinder. -Water resistant. Flint and Steel will work once dried off. Matches -Hottest part is ½ inch above flame -Ignite near intended tinder when reaction is hottest -Split paper matches if supply is short -Dip in wax to waterproof -Take up a lot of space

7. Modern Fire Technology Ferrocium Rod -Blend of metals that spark when scraped with metal. -Capable of thousands of fires. -BSA Hot Spark, Magnesium Starter, Swedish Fire Steels. -Upwards of 5000 degrees Fahrenheit. -Very water resistant. Bic Lighter -capable of thousands of fires. -Stretch lifetime by using for 1-2 seconds each time. -Delicate and sensitive to the environment. Butane Torches -Pricey but effective

8. Unorthodox Fire Technology 000 steel wool and batteries -Touch steel wool to both ends. Fresnel and Magnifying lenses -The bigger the lens, the better the chances. Use good tinder. Conditions must be right. Potassium Permanganate and Glycerin -Carry separately. Combine and in 30 seconds to a minute a reaction will occur.

9. Tinder Natural tinder -Birch bark -Fluffed cedar bark -Tinder Fungus -Collect tinder whenever possible. You never know when you will need it. Man Made -Cotton Vaseline Balls (3 minutes-5 minute burn) -Store bought (trioxane, fire paste, artificial logs, etc. -Very water resistant compared to natural (exception is birch bark because of oils)

10. Fuel Surface to mass ratio -Would 1 Million toothpicks or a 1000 lb log be easier to light with a single match? Twig Bundles (As thick as you can grab with your hand around) “ If it doesn’t snap, throw it back” Gradually build up your fire from small tinder, kindling then fuel. A log can be split and split and split to make smaller fuel and fuzz sticks. At least 3 well-made fuzz sticks ensure a decent fire.

11. Fire Construction Consider the platform. Sparks can jump, clear a safe area around your fire pit. Don’t build fires where fuel can roll onto you at night. Fire reflectors direct heat towards you. In cold weather, keep fuel nearby and have a long stick to poke the fire. Always gather fuel, even when you think you have enough. Teepee fires vs. all others.

12. Fire Craft Responsibility Always extinguish all fires by thoroughly dowsing them in water. Drown them. Do not simply bury coals. Do not build fires in dry areas. Have a water source nearby. Teach children responsibility (expose them to fire early on) Look for smoldering embers before leaving camp.

13. All-ways Prepared, Prepared Always (Kits) Redundancy (key chain, fanny pack, day pack, etc) Ways to carry tinder. Pack “glove friendly” fire kit items for winter use. Every Day Carry (EDC) a couple means of lighting fires. Carry kit items to help your weaknesses.

14. Special Considerations What happens if you break one of your hands? Can you light a fire with just one hand? How about your weak hand? Can you light a “one match fire?” Can your fire kit survive a dunking in water? Can you light a fire in the pouring rain? Can you light a fire on top of snow?

15. Notes