Terms of UseHow to Use an Emergency Fire Starter Explore this Article parts 1 Collecting Fuel for Your Fire 2 Positioning Your Fire 3 Starting Your Fire Other Sections Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by wikiHow Staff
Last Updated: September 6, 2019 References
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 42,947 times.
Emergency fire starters can be difficult to use. Knowing how to use one, however, can give you some peace of mind when you're hiking or camping in the remote wilderness. If you have enough dry tinder and kindling, starting a fire with an emergency fire starter is relatively easy. It just might take some practice to become comfortable using it.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Collecting Fuel for Your Fire
1 Gather dry and fine material to use as tinder. When it comes to tinder, the drier the material, the better. Dry leaves, pine needles, grass, bark, and small sticks all work great as tinder.[1]XResearch source
Gather at least enough tinder to fill up your two open palms.
It is always a good idea to carry a small bag or tin of dry tinder when hiking or camping, just in case wet weather makes it difficult to find dry tinder where you'll be starting your fire.[2]XResearch source
2 Collect small sticks and branches of various sizes for kindling and fuel. Before breaking out your emergency fire starter, you'll need a large supply of fuel to keep your fire burning. Collect sticks that are around the width of a pencil to use as kindling, and sticks and logs the width of your forearm or larger to keep your fire burning. Make sure all the sticks and branches you collect are dry and will burn easily.[3]XResearch source
Collect as many dry sticks, twigs, and large branches as you can. Having more wood on hand than you need to keep your fire going is always better than unexpectedly running out.
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3 Use a metal blade to scrape shavings off your magnesium block. Use the metal blade that came with the fire starter kit or the back of a steel knife blade to scrape the corner of the block. Continue scraping until you have a small pile of magnesium shavings about the size of a medium-sized coin. Keep the pile of magnesium shavings on a dry leaf or other dry and flat surface.[4]XResearch source
Depending on your specific fire starter kit, the magnesium might be in the shape of a rod instead of a block.
Scrape the magnesium as close to the ground as possible so that you don't waste any of the shavings.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Positioning Your Fire
1 Build your fire away from dry grasses, shrubs, and trees. Find a spot of bare soil or exposed rock on which to build your fire. This will reduce the risk of debris on the ground catching fire. Make sure the location of your fire is at least 3 metres (9.8 ft) away from overhanging branches or other flammable materials, including your tent or lean-to.[5]XResearch source
Build your fire at least 15 metres (49 ft) from any building.
2 Build a ring of large rocks around where you'll be starting your fire. This ring of rocks will help prevent your fire from spreading beyond where you want it. It will also act as a shield to protect your initial flame from the wind.[6]XResearch source
If the wind is blowing strongly, make your ring of rocks higher on the side from which the wind is blowing.
Rocks that are around half the size of your head will work great for purpose.
3 Break the tinder into fine pieces and pile it around the magnesium. Position the tinder pieces so that they overlap with but do not cover the entire pile of magnesium shavings. When the magnesium ignites, the tinder should be close enough to catch fire. Keep larger pieces of tinder within arm's reach to add onto the pile when it catches fire.[7]XResearch source
Break up enough tinder to fill up your open hand.
4 Keep water on hand so that you can put out the fire. Having water nearby will allow you to douse any embers that jump out of your fire pit, reducing the risk of you inadvertently starting a wildfire. Prepare as much water as you can just in case your fire gets out of hand.[8]XResearch source
When putting out your fire, make sure you use enough water to completely douse all hot embers. The amount of water you'll need will depend on the size of your fire, but a large bucket or 2 of water should be enough to put out most small campfires.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Starting Your Fire
1 Aim the block at a downward angle toward the pile of magnesium shavings. Hold the block with your non-dominant hand and the metal blade with your dominant hand. Position the block so that the side with the flint is facing upward.[9]XResearch source
The flint is the thin black rod imbedded in the silver block of magnesium.
2 Strike the flint in a downward motion to produce sparks. Strike the flint with the back of a knife's blade. Keep the end of the flint pointed just above your pile of magnesium shavings when striking so that the sparks you produce will land on your pile of magnesium. Keep striking the flint until the pile of magnesium shavings catches fire.[10]XResearch source
Be careful not to disrupt your pile of magnesium shavings when you strike the flint.
Try to keep the flint as still as possible when striking it, so that the sparks land where you want them.
3 Add tinder to the ignited pile of magnesium shavings. Once the pile of magnesium shavings catches fire, it will burn for around 5 – 10 seconds. During this time, you need to make sure that the tinder you collected catches fire.[11]XResearch source
Start by adding small and thin pieces of tinder and then add larger pieces of tinder as the flame becomes larger and more stable.
When adding tinder, be careful not to snuff out the flame.
4 Pile kindling onto the small flame to build up your fire. Choose small sticks and twigs that are no thicker than a pencil to use as kindling. When you pile the kindling onto the flame, make sure you keep plenty of space between the sticks so that the fire can get enough oxygen to grow. Be careful not to smother the fire when you're piling sticks on top of it.[12]XResearch source
If the flame appears to weaken, blow slowly and steadily underneath the pile to give the fire oxygen.
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Expert Q&A
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Video
Tips
Practice using your emergency fire starter in your backyard or other outdoor location before you go hiking or camping in the wilderness. This will allow you to master how to use the fire starter before you find yourself in an emergency. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
Don't pile large pieces of kindling or logs on top of your fire immediately after it has started burning, as this may smother it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Magnesium fire starter block
Steel knife
Tinder and kindling
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References
↑ https://youtu.be/6yUblZC2eC0?t=31
↑ https://youtu.be/YRXK6kpNeqs?t=60
↑ https://youtu.be/YRXK6kpNeqs?t=468
↑ https://youtu.be/YRXK6kpNeqs?t=399
↑ https://youtu.be/YqXrbJoUUFw?t=14
↑ https://youtu.be/YqXrbJoUUFw?t=66
↑ https://youtu.be/6yUblZC2eC0?t=39
↑ https://youtu.be/YqXrbJoUUFw?t=145
↑ https://youtu.be/YRXK6kpNeqs?t=439
More References (3)
↑ https://youtu.be/YRXK6kpNeqs?t=439
↑ https://youtu.be/YRXK6kpNeqs?t=454
↑ https://youtu.be/YRXK6kpNeqs?t=463
About this article
Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 42,947 times. 8 votes - 88% Co-authors: 6Updated: September 6, 2019 Views: 42,947
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 42,947 times.
Reader Success Stories
Jim Ellis
Aug 7, 2016
"There were no instructions with my fire starter, which I received as a gift. Your narrative was helpful, although a video would have even been better. Thanks for your excellent guidance."..." more
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer Co-authors: 6Updated: September 6, 2019 Views: 42,94788% of readers found this article helpful. 8 votes - 88% Click a star to add your vote
Jim Ellis
Aug 7, 2016
"There were no instructions with my fire starter, which I received as a gift. Your narrative was helpful, although a video would have even been better. Thanks for your excellent guidance."..." more
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Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 42,947 times. 8 votes - 88% Co-authors: 6 Updated: September 6, 2019 Views: 42,947 
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 
500 
1 Gather dry and fine material to use as tinder. When it comes to tinder, the drier the material, the better. Dry leaves, pine needles, grass, bark, and small sticks all work great as tinder.[1] 
2 Collect small sticks and branches of various sizes for kindling and fuel. Before breaking out your emergency fire starter, you'll need a large supply of fuel to keep your fire burning. Collect sticks that are around the width of a pencil to use as kindling, and sticks and logs the width of your forearm or larger to keep your fire burning. Make sure all the sticks and branches you collect are dry and will burn easily.[3] 
3 Use a metal blade to scrape shavings off your magnesium block. Use the metal blade that came with the fire starter kit or the back of a steel knife blade to scrape the corner of the block. Continue scraping until you have a small pile of magnesium shavings about the size of a medium-sized coin. Keep the pile of magnesium shavings on a dry leaf or other dry and flat surface.[4] 
1 Build your fire away from dry grasses, shrubs, and trees. Find a spot of bare soil or exposed rock on which to build your fire. This will reduce the risk of debris on the ground catching fire. Make sure the location of your fire is at least 3 metres (9.8 ft) away from overhanging branches or other flammable materials, including your tent or lean-to.[5] 
2 Build a ring of large rocks around where you'll be starting your fire. This ring of rocks will help prevent your fire from spreading beyond where you want it. It will also act as a shield to protect your initial flame from the wind.[6] 
3 Break the tinder into fine pieces and pile it around the magnesium. Position the tinder pieces so that they overlap with but do not cover the entire pile of magnesium shavings. When the magnesium ignites, the tinder should be close enough to catch fire. Keep larger pieces of tinder within arm's reach to add onto the pile when it catches fire.[7] 
4 Keep water on hand so that you can put out the fire. Having water nearby will allow you to douse any embers that jump out of your fire pit, reducing the risk of you inadvertently starting a wildfire. Prepare as much water as you can just in case your fire gets out of hand.[8] 
1 Aim the block at a downward angle toward the pile of magnesium shavings. Hold the block with your non-dominant hand and the metal blade with your dominant hand. Position the block so that the side with the flint is facing upward.[9] 
2 Strike the flint in a downward motion to produce sparks. Strike the flint with the back of a knife's blade. Keep the end of the flint pointed just above your pile of magnesium shavings when striking so that the sparks you produce will land on your pile of magnesium. Keep striking the flint until the pile of magnesium shavings catches fire.[10] 
3 Add tinder to the ignited pile of magnesium shavings. Once the pile of magnesium shavings catches fire, it will burn for around 5 – 10 seconds. During this time, you need to make sure that the tinder you collected catches fire.[11] 
4 Pile kindling onto the small flame to build up your fire. Choose small sticks and twigs that are no thicker than a pencil to use as kindling. When you pile the kindling onto the flame, make sure you keep plenty of space between the sticks so that the fire can get enough oxygen to grow. Be careful not to smother the fire when you're piling sticks on top of it.[12] 