Twig Fire

IA Woodsman · Jan 20, 2011

Many people prefer using small diameter sticks and twigs to start their fires. It is easier than splitting all of your prep , but not always a sure bet depending on conditions. A few of the keys to this kind of fire are prep and how you gather your prep. As with any thing if you are fully prepared you are more likely to succeed. Our wood needs to be in the proper stages, pencil lead, pencil and thumb size. Just as important is where we gather our materials from. All of our wood should be above the ground when we gather it. Many people fail because their wood is wet or damp. Get your materials from dead branches or dead standing wood. If you are unsure if the wood is dead, break it. It should snap and have no green color. If you are still not sure, in the winter you can break it and place it on your lips. If it warms up in a few seconds it is probably dry enough. If it stays cold on your lips it is more than likely green.

[YOUTUBE]Brb4usB35WU[/YOUTUBE]

This shows our prep

Pencil lead size twigs
Pencil size sticks
Thumb size fuels
A platform
A brace

Shavings are one of my favorite tinders.Put them on your platform. Put you brace next to them and light then with a match or man-made tinder.

This is where the brace and platform come into play. The platform is keeping the coals off of the snow. This will help to generate more heat. The hotter the flame is, the faster it will dry out damp wood. The brace is keeping the fuels from smashing the shavings. This keeps O2 flowing to the flames, which is very important. Your brace should be about fist high. Also notice how much prep is left over. Enough to build 2 more fires.

I would like to see a bunch of fires from you folks. get out and enjoy yourselves.

skab8541 · Jan 20, 2011

Good stuff Ia, should always practice the basics as it can be harder then you think when you really need it.

mtnfolk mike · Jan 20, 2011

very cool Ia.. some great info once again..:thumbup:

DOC-CANADA · Jan 20, 2011

IA Woodsman,

Thank you for posting pictures and text in addition to your video. Some of us, for different reasons, don't watch the videos.

Doc

dboles · Jan 21, 2011

Nice points
I would also agree, most fire failure comes from no proper preparation or not having everything ready to get that fire burning strongly at the outset.
Many times I have come across failed fires where someone has tried to get huge pieces of wood going without any type of smaller fuel burning 1st.
I our country lunch break is always declared if we find a dead and decently limbed spruce tree, near lunch time give or take ,better yet is if your lucky enogh to find a dead witches broom (a parasitic growth)in that tree.Then you have some proper fire makings

Solo lunch break on the trapline
Dan'l

jcl-MD · Jan 21, 2011

Great info IA!!!!!

cody1 · Jan 21, 2011

dboles said:
Nice points
I would also agree, most fire failure comes from no proper preparation or not having everything ready to get that fire burning strongly at the outset.
Many times I have come across failed fires where someone has tried to get huge pieces of wood going without any type of smaller fuel burning 1st.
I our country lunch break is always declared if we find a dead and decently limbed spruce tree, near lunch time give or take ,better yet is if your lucky enogh to find a dead witches broom (a parasitic growth)in that tree.Then you have some proper fire makings

Solo lunch break on the trapline
Dan'l

Good stuff, Fellas. I like your seat and snow shoe back rest...

IA Woodsman · Jan 21, 2011

DOC-CANADA said:
IA Woodsman,

Thank you for posting pictures and text in addition to your video. Some of us, for different reasons, don't watch the videos.

Doc

You are welcome Doc. I don't have the best connection either. I feel your pain.

dboles said:
Nice points
I would also agree, most fire failure comes from no proper preparation or not having everything ready to get that fire burning strongly at the outset.
Many times I have come across failed fires where someone has tried to get huge pieces of wood going without any type of smaller fuel burning 1st.
I our country lunch break is always declared if we find a dead and decently limbed spruce tree, near lunch time give or take ,better yet is if your lucky enogh to find a dead witches broom (a parasitic growth)in that tree.Then you have some proper fire makings

Dan'l

When I lived up north, we called the same growth "witches hair". There was also a blackish variety that was a lot finer. We called that "goats beard". Both were good tinders if they were dry. When it was damp out they would soak up the moisture like a sponge.

PropThePolecat · Jan 21, 2011

After a couple of failed fires every newbie learns that preparation is key.

Here are some pics of my firewood/fire.