Starting Fire

There’s a perfect fire for every situation. Learn to pick the right one.

Vision is important. But with a little ingenuity, your specs could save your life in other ways.

It’s not easy making fire like a caveman. Give yourself a chance with these tips.

Watch our experts demonstrate good fire-making technique.

Teepee, Log Cabin, and Lean-to are three options for setting up a strong fire base.

From the dawn of history to dusk last night, fire is mankind’s oldest and most useful tool. Learn how to harness its strength to cook, survive, and connect to a primal force as old and powerful as time itself.

How to choose and build the optimal fire pit; how to light a fire in windy conditions.

Jack London’s "To Build a Fire" scared me into adolescence.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

From fun to deadly serious this list just might save your life (or at least make camping even more fun)

No matter where you are, there's natural material for the taking.

Nothing rekindles our primal connection to the open flame like a backcountry campfire.

Forgive me, Smokey, for I have sinned.

Follow these tips for a crackling, low-impact fire.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Dennis Lewon's author page.

Down to your last match? This fast-to-make kindling “bouquet” will light the first time, every time.

One of our favorites from the vault: a master entertainer spills his secrets for spinning unforgettable yarns.

Place your fuel wood in the right places to create a fire that behaves exactly how you want.

You’ll be very sorry—and very, very smelly.

Find the right logs, sticks, kindling, and fuel to make a campfire.

Campfires-gone-amok are the most common source of human-caused wildfires. Make sure yours is out cold.

Learn to dissect a cellphone to make a spear, snare, signaling device, compass, and more in this how-to guide. Photos by Creek Stewart, willowhavenoutdoor.com

Wet, cold, lost, hungry: In desperate times, nothing improves your changes of survival more than a roaring blaze. We tested every fuel source under the sun to show you how to start a fire every time.

You've done it now. Gone on a simple walk and gotten lost, or broken your ankle. It's cold. You didn't bring gear. Don't just curl up and wait. Get a fire going.

Thinks it's difficult to build a fire on snow? Think again with these tried and true tips.

Put that hooch to good use with these tips for starting a fire, treating water, and even signaling for help.

Long before satellite beacons, humans thrived in the wild with the best technology available: a knife. And with that one tool and some basic knowledge, they fulfilled all life-sustaining needs.

Make a fire fast with this pocket-sized tip