Campfire Not Lighting? Here are Some Possible Reasons Why
Updated On November 11, 2022 | by Samara Davis
Lighting the campfire is a critical component of any overnight outdoor adventure. A task that is seemingly so simple yet warrants so many headaches for both newbie and experienced campers alike. If you’ve experienced the frustration of sparks refusing to light, you’re not alone. The most important thing you can do to combat this is to ensure you’re preparing yourself with the correct gear.
There are many different ways to prepare for your campfire before you set out on your camping or hunting trip. Self-Reliance Outfitters Fire Starting Kit is a great place to start. Now that you’ve got yourself a proper fire-starting kit, here are some common things to keep in mind when starting your campfire. While there are other issues that may pop up, if you are aware of these things, you’ll most likely be able to start a campfire quickly on your trip.
How’s the Humidity?
You’ve done an impeccable job planning this outing and even considered the weather. No rain in the forecast, so you and your group gleefully head out into the wilderness. Everything is going according to plan. You begin to set up your campsite, starting with the campfire. The wood is dry, but for some reason, your campfire won’t seem to light.
What’s the problem?
It may be the humidity. When it’s particularly humid outside, vapor from the air will make lighting a fire difficult. The moisture from the air can saturate the wood, even if it hasn’t rained recently. Instead of catching fire, the wood will instead produce only smoke until it has been heated up enough to remove the condensation.
Wet Wood
Wet wood is potentially the most common reason a campfire will not light. Even with all the fuel and matches that people use around the world, damp wood will not burn. So if you expect to experience rainy weather on your family camping trip, make sure you’ve researched selecting the right tent.
If it’s rained recently, plan on grabbing dry wood from the nearest market or gas station before attempting to start the fire. While being prepared for the rain with your rain gear, waterproof watch, and phone case will surely make your trip more enjoyable, it won’t guarantee that you will be able to start a fire. Again, using a high-quality fire starting kit, like the Self Reliance Outfitters fire starting kit, will come in handy here.
Not Enough Oxygen
Don’t forget fire needs oxygen to stay burning. It may be due to a lack of oxygen if you’re having difficulty getting your fire to stay burning. Sometimes it is enough to clean out the fire pit and remove any necessary debris to ensure that your fire will burn as it should.
It’s recommended to build a teepee-style fire so that your fire can receive enough airflow to stay burning. It may also be helpful to fan the flames after you get those initial first sparks. You need to be able to adapt to the specific weather conditions at your campsite.
Picking the Suitable Wood Pieces
Many campers make the mistake of only using big, thick pieces of wood for their fire. When the wood is too thick, it can be hard to light. When searching for wood, pick a variety of wood pieces, including smaller, thinner pieces.
Consider using flammable fuel such as paper or grass. These pieces are easier to ignite and will eventually help those thicker pieces light up, too.
Also Read: What are Smellables for Hiking in a Bear Country?
Wrapping Up
Armed with the knowledge of common pitfalls when starting a campfire, you’re on your way to a warm, roaring fire on your next camping trip if you’ve got the quality gear, even better! Remember to check the weather for not only rain but humidity as well. Once you have your fire started, don’t forget about the other hazards of the country, like attracting bears.
If it has rained, pick up some dry wood from the store. Then, be sure to build your fire with plenty of airflows and choose smaller pieces of wood to get the fire lit. Now that you can successfully start a fire, here are some safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe while enjoying your campfire outdoors.