Best Natural Fire Starters for Bushcraft
A well-made fire provides warmth, protection, the means to cook food, and a psychological boost when you’re immersed in the wilderness. Fortunately, nature provides a variety of excellent materials to use as fire starters, many of which can be found with minimal effort if you know where to look. Here’s a guide to some of the best natural fire starters for bushcraft and how to use them effectively.
1. Birch Bark
(Very common across the northern hemisphere, Birch bark is one of the best and most abundant fire starters)
Birch bark is one of the top natural fire starters due to its high oil content, which burns even when the bark is damp. The outer layer peels easily and ignites quickly, making it an essential item for bushcrafters in northern climates where birch trees are common. The oils in birch bark make it waterproof, allowing it to ignite with a spark from a ferro rod, even in wet conditions.
How to Use: Peel thin strips of bark from a birch tree, without damaging the living tree. Scratch the surface to release more of the oils and use a lighter or ferro rod to ignite.
2. Pine Resin (Fatwood)
Pine resin, often referred to as fatwood, is another highly flammable natural resource for bushcraft. Found in pine trees, especially in dead branches and the base of trunks, fatwood contains concentrated resin that is easy to light. This resin-rich wood is known for its long-lasting flame, even under windy or damp conditions.
How to Use: Cut small pieces or shavings of fatwood from dead pine branches or stumps. Light the shavings with a match or ferro rod, and the resin will create a sustained flame ideal for getting a fire going.
3. Cattail Fluff
Cattails, which grow in marshy or wetland areas, have fluffy heads that act as an excellent tinder for starting a fire. The fluff is highly flammable, igniting almost instantly when exposed to a spark, which makes it a reliable choice for bushcraft fire-starting. However, cattail fluff burns quickly, so it should be used alongside other tinder.
How to Use: Collect the fluffy part of the cattail by breaking open its head. Roll the fluff loosely into a ball and apply a spark from a ferro rod or other fire-starting tool. To keep the fire going, add more substantial fuel like dry grass or twigs.
4. Dry Grass and Leaves
(Only dried grass will burn, so avoid anything fresh, including any rabbits)
Dry grass and leaves are some of the easiest natural fire starters to find, especially in dry environments. These materials ignite quickly with minimal preparation, making them ideal for emergencies or situations where you need a fire fast. However, they can burn out quickly, so they’re best used with other fire starters.
How to Use: Gather a handful of the driest grass or leaves you can find. Crumble or shred them to increase their surface area, creating a nest for your spark. Place a spark onto the nest, and once it ignites, carefully add larger pieces of tinder.
5. Cedar Bark
Cedar trees provide bark that is perfect for making a fire starter. The bark is fibrous, peeling away in thin strips that can be used to create a tinder bundle. When dry, cedar bark catches fire easily and burns steadily. The bark’s fibrous nature also makes it easy to work with, even when damp.
How to Use: Peel away thin strips of cedar bark and create a loosely packed ball. The fibers will catch a spark with ease, especially if fluffed up a bit. Cedar bark is also great when combined with other fire-starting materials, such as pine needles or small twigs.
6. Dry Fungi (Chaga or Tinder Fungus)
Chaga and other types of tinder fungi are excellent natural fire starters that work particularly well for slow-burning embers. Chaga, found growing on birch trees, is an effective ember generator, making it ideal for transporting fire over a distance. While it doesn’t produce an immediate flame, it smolders effectively and can ignite other tinder.
How to Use: Cut a small piece of Chaga and apply a spark from a ferro rod or flint. The chaga will start to smolder, creating an ember that you can then place in a bundle of dry grass or bark to produce flames.
7. Pine Needles
(Pine trees are very common across the northern hemisphere and an excellent choice for shelter building)
Dry pine needles, often found on the ground under pine trees, are an accessible and reliable tinder source. They burn quickly and produce a small flame that can ignite larger pieces of fuel. However, pine needles should be very dry; otherwise, they may produce too much smoke without a steady flame.
How to Use: Gather a pile of dry pine needles and form a loose ball or nest. Place your spark in the center of the nest, and once it catches, add small sticks or twigs to increase the flame.
8. Char Cloth
(Cotton or linen are the best choices for char cloth and can be made at home in the oven)
Although not naturally occurring, char cloth is easy to make from natural materials and is a classic bushcraft fire starter. Char cloth is made by charring cotton fabric in a controlled environment (such as in a metal tin with a small hole) until it turns black. It’s incredibly sensitive to sparks and creates an ember that can easily ignite other tinder.
How to Use: Place a piece of char cloth on top of your ferro rod and strike to create a spark. Once the char cloth begins to smolder, transfer it to a tinder bundle and blow gently to ignite the flame.
9. Old Man’s Beard (Usnea)
Usnea, or “Old Man’s Beard,” is a lichen that commonly grows on trees in humid or mountainous areas. This moss-like plant is ideal for tinder when dry, as it catches sparks easily and burns for a decent amount of time. However, ensure that it is completely dry before use.
How to Use: Collect a handful of dry Usnea and fluff it to increase its surface area. Apply a spark from a ferro rod or lighter, and once it catches, add additional tinder or fuel to build a fire.
10. Milkweed Fluff
Milkweed fluff, similar to cattail fluff, is a great natural fire starter that ignites instantly. It burns rapidly, so it should be paired with other materials for a sustained flame. Milkweed fluff is easy to gather, especially in open fields, and works well in combination with drier twigs and leaves.
How to Use: Gather the fluff and form it into a ball. Place a spark onto the fluff to ignite it. Quickly add other tinder or fuel to keep the fire going.
Tips for Using Natural Fire Starters Effectively
Always prepare your fire lay before attempting to light any natural fire starter. This means having a ready supply of small twigs, kindling, and larger wood.
Check for dryness in your materials. Even if your fire starter can ignite in damp conditions (like birch bark or fatwood), drier materials will make the process easier.
Consider layering different types of tinder and fire starters. For example, combining birch bark with dry grass can help create a more consistent and long-lasting flame.
