-
- Species
- Whitetail
- Rut Reporters
- Duck Reporters
- Deer Camp
- Big Game
- Small Game
- Birds
- Special Methods
- Bow Hunting
- Gun Dogs
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
- Deer & Turkey Expos
-
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- More Freshwater
- Saltwater
- Catchbook
- Special Methods
- Fly Fishing
- Hook Shots
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
AnswersASK YOUR QUESTION
Print
Email
Share
Answers
Browse By
Top Users
Q:
I live in Michigan, but am also considering a long term "outing" in the oregon or washington area. I prefer using a sparking rod to start my fires, and was wondering what NATURAL materials in THESE AREAS (pacific northwest US and the Great lakes region) catch a spark the best, and also what makes the best tinder/kindling once a small flame is established.
Question by a.rank. Uploaded on February 01, 2012
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Today on Field & Stream
Loading...
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
| Active Interest | SKI | Skiing | Skiing Business | Scuba Diving | Sport Diver | TransWorld Ride BMX | TransWorld Business | TransWorld Motocross | TransWorld SKATEboarding | TransWorld SNOWboarding | TransWorld SURF | TransWorld WAKEBOARDING | WaterSki |
|---|---|
| Travel | Caribbean Travel + Life | Destination Weddings & Honeymoon | Islands | Florida Travel + Life |
| Lifestyle & Epicurean | Garden Design | SNOW | Saveur |
| Marine & Aviation | Boating | Boating Life 360 | Cruising World | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Flying | Marlin | Marlin University | Sailing World | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing | Yachting |
| Outdoor | Field & Stream | Outdoor Life | SHOT Business | Cycle World |
| Parenting | Babytalk | Parenting | Conceive | Working Mother |
| Technology | Popular Science | Science Illustrated | Sound + Vision | Popular Photography | American Photo |
| Entertainment/Events | Warren Miller Entertainment | World Entertainment Services | World Sports & Marketing |
Fieldandstream.com is part of the Field & Stream Network, a division of Bonnier Corporation.
Copyright © 2012 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Answers (18)
Lower dead branches/twigs of cedar will burn very easily though not much heat. Good for starting fires. Also, "old man's beard" moss hanging in the trees works well as fire starting tinder.
I prefer cotton balls smeared with petrolleum jelly to catch my sparks from my ferro rod and theb burst into flame. When the cotton balls are rolled tight a weeks worth will fit into a pill vile. Just fluff them back up prior to use. Around here we call dry pine needles "Canadian Napalm" for their ability to flame up. The twigs from dry standing pine is the best kindling. Those with lots of pitch really take off even in a storm. If you need natural tinder found on site look for bark from cedar and rub it between your palms to turn it into fine fibers.
Dry cedar bark, pulled off in long strips and rolled vigorously between your hands will form fine hairy strands that will readily take a spark.
The dried / hardened sap from any pine spruce or fir tree makes exceptional kindling once you have a flame. Sprigs of common juniper will burn even when still live (as long as it's not early spring when moisture levels are highest). Red needles from any conifer will also burn well. You can also whittle shavings off nearly anything for fine kindling.
Cotton balls and petroleum jelly is not "natural."
the "outing" Im looking at is 2 months in the wilderness with a small group of friends. The goal is minimalism, ie clothes, knife, hatchet, and a pot to boil water. obviously we are bringing emergency stuff, but we will only break into that if the situation is truly life threatening. I've already done several week-long trips like this in the U.P. of Michigan, but that's not all that tough. Anyone else ever made firestarters by laminating strips of birchbark with goopy clumps of pine sap? works like a charm once you have at least a small flame.
Please stay home. Our Search and Rescue Teams are woefully underfunded and are busy enough with our own fruits and nuts.
Have you ever been out in the wild in the Pacific Northwest? There's a world of difference between that and the U.P.
UP is a lot drier than the West Coast. Better learn how to make an umbrella from cedar bark! You won't last two weeks before you'll be sleeping and eating mildew. And living in wet clothes 24/7? Ugh! Crotch rot is soooo much fun!
Its not difficult getting a fire going using primitive methods here. Lord knows we have enough trees to burn. Plenty of duff, moss, branches and pine cones to burn. On the west side of the cascades it can be challenging due to the high moisture content. but like anywhere else that sees heavy rain the trick is keeping a fire going. We just fly an angled tarp over the fire pit to keep the rain off. Lots of dead standing timber around here these days.
A cup of gas is a real good fire starter:]
Which wilderness area were you thinking about?
Goin on Walkabout? Have fun
I would take a ziploc baggy full of drier lint. lights fast burns well and then you just have to gather kindling
Here in Michigan Birch bark is gonna be the best option as it has natural oils that burn even when wet.
Not sure about Oregon, but sounds like a fun trip. Good luck!
In Michigan it's easy with birch bark and the lower dead branches of a red pine you'll have a fire going in no time. Just make sure to keep your fire under control we had one about ten years ago that was started with some kids making a camp fire and it got out of hand and we couldn't get a handle on it. If it wasn't for a timely rain I don't know how much worse it would've gotten. good luck and be safe.
thanks for your concern but don't worry we're not just going on our own, we're doing this through the Trackers PDX program, they teach survival and sustainable living skills. Also I know it will be very different from Michigan, but since we're there to learn in a course, it won't be an issue.
yeah like others have posted birch im from just south of the upper peninsula in wisconsin and birch bark burns hotter and faster than most materials i've found. Cedar when dry burns slower but a more consistant flame. with steal and flint i would use dry pieces of ceder under birch. good luck in oregon and washington its rainy and cold but beautiful country.
cedar bark is amazing, once rolled through your hands vigorously you can make it into a nest that will take a spark very well. for kindling use birch bark, dried pine needles, or feather sticks.
dry twigs, pine needles, and anything dry that will catch a spark
Post an Answer
Dry cedar bark, pulled off in long strips and rolled vigorously between your hands will form fine hairy strands that will readily take a spark.
The dried / hardened sap from any pine spruce or fir tree makes exceptional kindling once you have a flame. Sprigs of common juniper will burn even when still live (as long as it's not early spring when moisture levels are highest). Red needles from any conifer will also burn well. You can also whittle shavings off nearly anything for fine kindling.
Please stay home. Our Search and Rescue Teams are woefully underfunded and are busy enough with our own fruits and nuts.
Lower dead branches/twigs of cedar will burn very easily though not much heat. Good for starting fires. Also, "old man's beard" moss hanging in the trees works well as fire starting tinder.
I prefer cotton balls smeared with petrolleum jelly to catch my sparks from my ferro rod and theb burst into flame. When the cotton balls are rolled tight a weeks worth will fit into a pill vile. Just fluff them back up prior to use. Around here we call dry pine needles "Canadian Napalm" for their ability to flame up. The twigs from dry standing pine is the best kindling. Those with lots of pitch really take off even in a storm. If you need natural tinder found on site look for bark from cedar and rub it between your palms to turn it into fine fibers.
Its not difficult getting a fire going using primitive methods here. Lord knows we have enough trees to burn. Plenty of duff, moss, branches and pine cones to burn. On the west side of the cascades it can be challenging due to the high moisture content. but like anywhere else that sees heavy rain the trick is keeping a fire going. We just fly an angled tarp over the fire pit to keep the rain off. Lots of dead standing timber around here these days.
A cup of gas is a real good fire starter:]
Cotton balls and petroleum jelly is not "natural."
UP is a lot drier than the West Coast. Better learn how to make an umbrella from cedar bark! You won't last two weeks before you'll be sleeping and eating mildew. And living in wet clothes 24/7? Ugh! Crotch rot is soooo much fun!
Here in Michigan Birch bark is gonna be the best option as it has natural oils that burn even when wet.
Not sure about Oregon, but sounds like a fun trip. Good luck!
thanks for your concern but don't worry we're not just going on our own, we're doing this through the Trackers PDX program, they teach survival and sustainable living skills. Also I know it will be very different from Michigan, but since we're there to learn in a course, it won't be an issue.
the "outing" Im looking at is 2 months in the wilderness with a small group of friends. The goal is minimalism, ie clothes, knife, hatchet, and a pot to boil water. obviously we are bringing emergency stuff, but we will only break into that if the situation is truly life threatening. I've already done several week-long trips like this in the U.P. of Michigan, but that's not all that tough. Anyone else ever made firestarters by laminating strips of birchbark with goopy clumps of pine sap? works like a charm once you have at least a small flame.
Have you ever been out in the wild in the Pacific Northwest? There's a world of difference between that and the U.P.
Which wilderness area were you thinking about?
Goin on Walkabout? Have fun
I would take a ziploc baggy full of drier lint. lights fast burns well and then you just have to gather kindling
In Michigan it's easy with birch bark and the lower dead branches of a red pine you'll have a fire going in no time. Just make sure to keep your fire under control we had one about ten years ago that was started with some kids making a camp fire and it got out of hand and we couldn't get a handle on it. If it wasn't for a timely rain I don't know how much worse it would've gotten. good luck and be safe.
yeah like others have posted birch im from just south of the upper peninsula in wisconsin and birch bark burns hotter and faster than most materials i've found. Cedar when dry burns slower but a more consistant flame. with steal and flint i would use dry pieces of ceder under birch. good luck in oregon and washington its rainy and cold but beautiful country.
cedar bark is amazing, once rolled through your hands vigorously you can make it into a nest that will take a spark very well. for kindling use birch bark, dried pine needles, or feather sticks.
dry twigs, pine needles, and anything dry that will catch a spark
Post an Answer