Try to find a place not in the wind. A breeze can blow out fires that you attempt to start or spread fires out of control. If you can, find a sheltered area where it will not be a factor. Look for a location that is near a supply of fuel (presumably wood). Fires can be surprisingly “hungry,” and it is impractical to carry heavy wood great distances. Find an area where this is little chance of fire spreading. Try to find a clearing or area with little grass and some distance (a few yards/meters) from any trees or overhanging branches.
Small dug-out fire pits were once a common way of limiting the reach of fire. Make the pit a bit larger than the intended fire in order to maintain distance between the flame and any grass. [1] X Research source Alternatively, mound fires are commonly advocated among the Boy Scouts and other outdoor enthusiasts today. [2] X Research source As the name suggests, you start by building a mound of sand or dirt (again, larger than the intended fire). This elevates it above the surrounding grass or other materials that cannot always be sufficiently cleared). If you cannot get out of the wind, prepare a windbreak for the fire. Perhaps an old damp log can be used to limit the effect of the wind on your fire site. If you do choose a potentially flammable material for your windbreak, make sure there is sufficient distance to prevent it from catching on fire.
If you are using wood, you will not start by lighting large branches on fire. Instead, you must gather kindling, including such dried materials as leaves, conifer needles, and small twigs. You should also assemble the kindling and some medium-sized branches (roughly the size of an adult finger) in the selected fire site. The kindling will burn quickly, and even if you can add more kindling to the initial fire there must be something in place to sustain the flames. Organize this before you try to start your fire.
If you are using a knife, try to use the back of the blade if you can; you don’t want to damage the knife edge, and you are also not trying to cut slivers out of the bar. You want small flakes that will ignite easily. It can be difficult to determine the quantity of magnesium necessary to start a fire. Too little and you won’t succeed in starting a fire; too much and you’ll have a 5000 degree fireball in your face. That said, it might be good to start small and then, only if that fails, add more scrapings.
The quantity of spark will be determined by the amount of force applied, the speed of the strike, and the angle of attack (degree at which the blade runs along the flint). Do not stab or slash at the flint. Drag the blade across the flint or, if you prefer, drag the flint over the edge of the knife while keeping the blade steady. The latter method may be safer.
