One of the most frequent questions we get every year is – “What kinds of fire starters are allowed?” So, to answer this question, here are some fire starters that are allowed and are not allowed.
The Spark
What can you use to start a fire:
- Matches
- Flint & Steel
- Fire bow
Lighters are not allowed.
Types of Fire Starters
These are just a few of the different types of fire starter that you can purchase or make. Consider how safe the fire start you are making is. If you question its safety, then you probably shouldn’t use it.
Night Ops Rules
Keep in mind that, for Night Ops, you are restricted to using the contents of ONE sandwich size zip lock bag.
You can not use any chemical fire starters; this includes Vaseline and rubbing alcohol.
You can use natural materials, like saw dust, fatwood, wax/paraffin, lint, twine, wax paper, etc.
Natural Rope/Twine Bird Nests
Twine is an all-around great item to have in your backpack when hiking. It can be used for ropes and lashings as well as for fires.
To use just twine, you can fray the rope by un-twisting it/fray it and create a birds nest.
Take it to the next level by having a twine birds nest already made and drip wax on to it. Keep it in a zip lock back to keep out moisture.
Thanks to one particular patrol, we now having rules limiting the amount of fire starters you can use #BackpackFullOfTwine #90SecondFire #GA0513
Things Soaked in Wax
Twine soaked in wax. Cotton balls dipped in wax. Lint dipped in wax. You could (but shouldn’t) soak a roll of toilet paper in wax. Essentially, you create a candle effect that increases the lifespan of your fire starter. You can typically find cheap candles to melt down at most stores.
Cupcake/Paper Egg Carton + Lint/Sawdust + Wax
Using a double boiler, melt wax. Fill a paper egg carton or paper cupcake liners with either lint or sawdust. Drip the wax over the carton until soaked in wax.
Note: use a bowl and ladle that you don’t want back for this. Cleaning wax off a metal bowl and ladle can be quite annoying.
Note: you could cut the egg carton apart or leave it together and cut apart later. I liked cutting it apart first because I didn’t have deal with cutting the mess apart later.
Fire Starter Tootsie Rolls
Use wax paper to contain your fire starter.
Example: put lint or saw dust on your wax paper. Drip wax all over it. Roll it up and twist the ends. (Optional: Tie the ends with some twine.)
Fatwood
Also known as lighter wood or heart pine, fatwood is a natural product derived from the heartwood of pine trees. Essentially, fatwood happens when you cut down a tree and allow the resin to soak into the wood. The result is a hard, rot-resistant tinder.
Store-bought Fire Starters
All-natural, store-bought fire starters are allowed but discouraged. If the fire starter contains chemicals, it’s not allowed. If it’s a gel or liquid, it’s not allowed (even if in a packet). If it’s designed to be stove fuel, it’s not allowed. Save yourself money and make your own fire starters.
NOT ALLOWED
No liquid fire accelerants are allowed, ie. rubbing alcohol.
No vaseline/petroleum jelly is allowed.
Do not use hand sanitizer as a fire starters/accelerant.
No fuel stove tablets.
No aerosol sprays, ie. bug spray, are allowed.
Nothing that might explode.
Cotton Balls and Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly (NOT ALLOWED FOR NIGHT OPS)
Very simple. You take cotton balls and cover them in petroleum jelly. Use a knife or spoon to apply (cotton balls break apart).
This is incredibly messy and potentially dangerous if you aren’t careful and get some on you when lighting the fire. Also, it doesn’t work as well as other fire starters in my experience. You can make it safer/less messy by rolling the cotton balls up in a wax paper. However, this fire starter is not allowed for Night Ops.
Closing thoughts
This article from the dyrt has some interesting ideas for fire starters, including many of the ones I’ve talked about here. Not all of the fire starters listed are allowed for Night Ops. Again, chemical fire starters including fire starters that use Vaseline or rubbing alcohol are not allowed.
The philosophy behind the rules of what you can and can not use at Night Ops is that you should bring what is normal and expected for a 3 day backpacking trip with your troop AND you should only use what is safe. Be smart. Be safe. When in doubt, ask first.
