A handful of any of the following: pine needles, dry grass, birch bark, dead leaves or toilet paper

A handful of skinny twigs or sticks about 3"-4" long

Some dry sticks or dead branches about 6"-8" long, and 1/2" in diameter

Some larger dry sticks or dead branches about 12"-18" long, and 1" in diameter

A couple of good-sized (about the size of your arm) chunks of dry, split wood or dry found wood

A matchbook or a few wooden matches in a waterproof case

Optional:

A camping saw and/or ax

A pocket lighter (the butane type seem to be the most reliable)

5 minutes to clear the area, 10 minutes to gather materials, 15 minutes to build the fire.

2torial #0438: Learn2 Build a Campfire Satisfy that burning desire... There are two kinds of campfires in this world: the campfire that you build to enjoy, and the campfire that you build to survive. If you're in the latter situation, your best bet is to carry any one of a number of widely available fire "helpers." Often based on either magnesium shavings or an inflammable paste, these burn at extremely high temperatures, which can ignite wet material in an emergency. The techniques described below are still valid... but under really wet conditions, don't depend on natural materials. The following is a guide to building a fire without any such "helper" materials. If survival isn't the issue, all you need is a source of fire, a bit of patience and some consideration for your environment. Most importantly, remember that fire is destructive if not controlled. Check that fires are permitted in your campsite, and keep water handy. Also, be aware that deforestation is a problem in many areas. Use as little gathered wood as possible, and consider bringing in your own firewood if you're not backpacking. That being said, it's guaranteed that you'll deeply impress your companions if you can build a one-match fire. You'll succeed by following several strategies. Choose the driest, least green materials available, build the fire starting with small pieces and moving to large, carefully control the ventilation, and politely ignore any misguided suggestions from casual observers. Step 1