Building fire in the rain

Joined
Aug 27, 2009
Messages
252
We are finally getting some much-needed rain. We had a good steady rain this morning, and then this afternoon it tapered off to an intermittent drizzle for awhile. I've been itching to get out and practice building a fire in the rain, so I thought this was a good opportunity. There are some open woods by a creek not to far from my house.

The puddles around the parking lot show that anything laying on the ground will definitely be wet!
fire01.jpg


Droplets of water standing on the grass, a light drizzle still falling intermittently.
fire02.jpg


There was lots of BAD firewood - rotted logs laying down were like a sponge absorbing water.
fire03.jpg


The dried grass seeds were wet, not going to be able to get them to take a spark.
fire04.jpg


There are no pine trees in this area, so no chance of finding fatwood, and I don't think there are any cedar trees (for bark) in the area either.

My gear I took - I was looking for an excuse to try out my new ESEE 5. Also had one of my Izulas, the ESEE fire-kit with cotton and fatwood shavings inside, water bottle, and Dr. Pepper to satisfy my addiction :)
fire05.jpg


I found some dead saplings that were still standing upright and began collecting them. Also found a hollowed-out shell of a tree that was pretty dry on the inside, and decided to use that to collect my shavings.
fire06.jpg


I used my ESEE 5 for some of the shavings, then switched to the Izula to make some more.
fire07.jpg


I did also have one of those "emergency ponchos" (even thinner plastic than a trash bag) that I consider to be single-use, but they take very little space and are easy to fit into my PSK. I had to cover my shavings with it to keep them dry.
fire08.jpg


I spent quite a bit of time making shavings, figured I might need quite a bit to get the rest of the twigs going.
fire09.jpg


Success!
fire10.jpg


It was very peaceful to be by myself in the woods relaxing by the fire as it got dark.
fire11.jpg


For next time, I need to practice building a fire when it is really pouring hard and windy, not just wet and drizzle, but I'd definitely have to have a decent poncho or tarp to spread out so I could have someplace to keep my fire preparations dry! I liked the idea one of the poster's here had, of using the pencil sharpener to make shavings from a stick, could even do it inside a plastic bag and start the fire there if needed, I may try that.
 
Awesome post my friend... It't always good to practice so you know the skills when you need it.
 
this is a great post! building a fire in the rain is one of the ultimate manly tasks...
 
Preparation is key when building a fire, even more so when its raining. And you did real good making that many shavings. To top it off, you sheltered your tinder/kindling, which is essential if you want any chance of lighting it. Good job!
 
Very, very well done. Good post.

Moose
 
Nice thread, did you camp that night? If so, how much "dry" wood was around? Did you keep the fire all night, or let it go out?
 
Very well done, great post! I practice using shavings in the rain sometimes here too...but here in the south east, and the temperate rain forest I live in, we do have the gift of fatwood laying around, and standing up, all over the place so it is a long time habit to grab a piece as I am walking on wet outings. We are also blessed with the gift of the Long Leaf Magnolia tree which during the warmer months has leaves the size of palm leaves that are great for making a protective "roof" to start a fire under or for making a "bush kitchen". This time of year I'd have to do as you did or make a cover of debris much like a debris shelter.
 
Thanks for the post and pics.. good job..

I'm enjoying some of that rain now.. and was faced with the same problem striping bark from ceder for tinder, however I'm trying a bow drill so I had to take it inside.......

I think you've encouraged me to go out later and see if I can't get something started.. of course I'm not skilled enough to get it with the bow drill so I'll be taking me some steel:D
 
Thanks for sharing.

I like the looks of that "weathered" Izula. I think I might take your lead and pack some Dr. Pepper on my next hike...that stuff is dynamite.
 
great post! you've done a good job in coming to terms with your addiction to dp. im not at that stage yet...
 
nice pics!

So, what's your favorite of the 3 knives you won? I'm REALLY liking the 5. That is one hardcore knife.
 
Nice thread, did you camp that night? If so, how much "dry" wood was around? Did you keep the fire all night, or let it go out?

I didn't camp that night, as it is not allowed there (supposed to be out by midnight). That was actually the reason I brought the water bottle, so I could be SURE the fire was out before I left :). Once the bigger logs start burning up inside the hollows and cracks, the fire can keep on burning pretty well in spite of the rain.

SemperParatus said:
nice pics!

So, what's your favorite of the 3 knives you won? I'm REALLY liking the 5. That is one hardcore knife.
Depends on the use I guess - I *really* like the Junglas for chopping, but the Izula II is just right for skinning bark from branches, making shavings, whittling, etc. I'm thinking the 5 is perfect for keeping in my car with a small kit of stuff, since it is within the Texas legal limit of 5 1/2" - you can take longer blades when fishing/camping etc, but for leaving in my car all the time the 5 is perfect size.

Phyx said:
great post! you've done a good job in coming to terms with your addiction to dp. im not at that stage yet...
LOL Thanks. I am *very* overweight, and the Dr. Pepper is largely to blame for that (I don't drink beer so can't call it a beer gut :) ) but it is one think to recognize it, and another thing to do something about it :D I figured getting out and going for a walk to build the fire would at least wear off the calories imbibed on the way.
 
Great post and great practice. Most anyone can build fire in the dry but always practice under adverse conditions. Again, awesome thread.
 
Back
Top