Bonfires

Learn how to safely build and enjoy bonfires during camping trips and outdoor adventures. Discover essential fire-building techniques, safety tips, and the best practices for creating warm, cozy bonfires in the wilderness.

Camps / Techniques / Tools

Making Fire Without Matches or a Lighter: Essential Wilderness Techniques

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Hands striking a ferro rod to create sparks into a tinder bundle at a dusk campsite, with kindling and a teepee structure in the background.

Making fire is an essential wilderness skill that can save lives and improve comfort during outdoor adventures. This guide explains practical, reliable methods to start a fire without matches or a lighter, covering friction techniques, spark-based methods, lens ignition, and improvised options. Learn safety best practices, recommended materials, and troubleshooting tips to build confidence in emergency situations.