Road flair (emergency fire),

[Gurthang]

Hello All,

My first post. Here and elsewhere, I’ve seen flairs listed as a good emergency fire starter item for a pack. I’ve seen it said to cut it in half and seal the end, saving weight & space, and still giving a quality way to start a easy fire in a rain or snow emergency. My questions, since I’ve never done it, are: What is the inside of a flair made of? Is it solid? Can both sides then be used, or only the original ‘end’? What’s the best method to seal the cut flair?

G

 

[texastonydobbs]

welcome Gurthang...I am sorry I can not answer your question but I will welcome you !

 

[rroundy]

last time i cut a flare open there was a resinous substance that seemed to be a soaked saw dust. both ends will burn. i would seal it with wax.although it is solid so duct tape would do. the only problem that i can see is lighting it without the original striker. i dont believe i would want to try and start one with say a lighter because of the initial burst of thermal energy in relation to hand placement. you could however get something else going and use that as the ignition source.

sidenote- tactically it is amazing what a flare can do.

ryan

 

[riddleofsteel]

The red flares are pyrotechnic compositions usually based on strontium nitrate and sometimes potassium nitrate or potassium perchlorate, mixed with a fuel (charcoal, sulfur, sawdust, aluminium, magnesium, or a suitable polymeric resin).