When the rain keeps falling and everything’s soaked, fire becomes more than comfort — it becomes a survival essential. The dangers of being stranded or camping in wet conditions include hypothermia, damp equipment, and low morale. Your life could be saved if you know how to ignite a fire in these circumstances.
Even in the worst conditions, these tried-and-true fire-starting methods still work.
1. Employ fire starters that are waterproof.
Using equipment made specifically for that purpose is the quickest way to start a fire in damp conditions. Our top recommendation: BCB Wind and Waterproof Matches
These matches aren’t your typical kind. Trusted by survivalists and military personnel, they burn in strong winds and still light after getting soaked — perfect for wet or stormy weather.
Why BCB Matches Are Effective:
- Water-resistant coating
- longer burn time compared to typical matches
- Strike consistently even in humid and high-humidity environments.
- For field use, come in a sturdy, sealed container.
Make sure your hiking kit or bug-out bag has a minimum of one waterproof fire source.
2. Collect Dry Tinder from Unlikely Places
You’d be surprised how much dry tinder you can find, even when everything seems wet:
- Inside tree bark: To locate dry inner shavings, remove the outer, moist bark from dead trees, especially birches.
- Beneath logs or rocks: Dry grass or leaves may be protected by the underside of fallen trees or big stones.
- From your equipment: When dry, tampon material, cotton pads, or pocket lint make great tinder. Store them in zip-lock bags.
Expert Tip: Apply petroleum jelly on cotton balls beforehand and keep them in a waterproof container. Even in damp environments, they will ignite readily and burn for minutes.
3. Create a Tinder Bundle
It is essential to have a tinder bundle, commonly known as a bird's nest. Shape a nest from dry, fluffy material that lets air flow easily. To start a fire, place your spark or flame inside the bundle. A good tinder bundle will catch fire fast and spread it, even if you're only using a little flame from waterproof matches.
Good resources consist of:
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Inner bark (cedar, birch, and poplar) that has been shredded
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Dead grass (fluffy and dry)
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Fine wood shavings or pine needles
4. Build a Base to Avoid Soaking the Fire
Never try to light a fire directly on wet ground. Rather:
- To protect your fire from the wetness below, place a platform of dry bark, stones, or one split log laid flat-side up for a stable base.
- Think of building your fire on top of one half log that is flat-side up by employing the upside-down split log approach.
- When the ground’s soaked, raising your fire can be the difference between getting warm or giving up.
5. Use the “Fire Lay” Method That Suits the Weather
Two dependable fire structures that function effectively in windy or rainy situations are as follows:
Log Cabin Fire Lay: Place your tinder in the middle of a square arrangement made up of alternating layers of fuelwood and kindling. It facilitates ventilation and enables the progressive catchment of bigger wood.
Lean-To Fire Lay: Create a kindling "roof" by leaning sticks over your tinder at an angle. This helps light the tinder without smothering it and protects it from rain.
6. Feather Stick Technique
Split wood shows a dry core when everything is wet. To make it easier to light with a match or ferro rod, use a knife to shave curls or "feathers" onto a stick. Feather sticks can be prepared ahead of time and serve as both kindling and tinder.
Performs best with softwoods, such as pine or cedar, particularly when the sap content is high.
Pro Tip: Prepare Before You Need to Start a Fire
Having reliable fire-starting gear packed ahead of time makes lighting a fire in wet weather much easier — and safer. Compact, reasonably priced, and very effective, the BCB Wind and Waterproof Matches are an essential part of any serious outdoor survival pack.
Always keep:
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Sources of ignition that are waterproof.
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Dry tinder kept in bags that are waterproof.
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A sharp knife or feather stick striker.
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To protect your fire-starting area, use a tarp or poncho.
Be ready for the worst weather. GoMilitar.com offers field-tested survival equipment and fire starters.
Do you need assistance assembling a complete wet-weather survival kit? Let us know; we have the equipment and the expertise from the field to support it.
