by M. Es Torrens

Created on: July 18, 2009

Camping in the rain can be a miserable experience. You're wet and cold and all you want is a warm fire and a break in the rain for a chance to dry off and get warm. But what if there isn't a break in the storm? Or, if the rain does stop, how will you manage to get a fire going with wet wood? While more challenging than starting a regular fire, campfires made using wet wood can indeed be a warm reality rather than a fantasy.

Before even starting your camping trip, remember to check the regulations of the park or area where you plan to camp to ensure that fires are allowed and also determine if you are allowed to burn wood found on site. Some national parks do not allow any fires other than those contained within a propane grill. Assuming fires are allowed, pack plenty of matches in a waterproof container. Depending on whether you are backpacking or car camping you may want to include a stash of fire starters or even firewood if wood is scarce or off-limits. Fire starters make starting fires incredibly easy and can be purchased cheaply or made at home using newspapers and melted paraffin wax.

STEPS TO STARTING A FIRE USING WET WOOD

1) If you don't have your own wood, the first step to building a fire will be to collect a large quantity of firewood. You will need to collect a larger-than-normal quantity of small and medium sized sticks, but also make sure you collect some larger logs as well. Try to collect the driest sticks you can find. You should not pick sticks up off the ground unless they were well sheltered. Instead, look around at the trees and try to find the dry side, that is, the side that was most sheltered from the wind and the rain. You are most like to find dry wood in tight clusters of 4-5 trees. In pine forests you will find numerous dry limbs towards the base of the truck that can easily be broken or cut off to use as firewood. Pile your wood in a sheltered area and cover if possible. You don't want your dry firewood to become wet.

2) Prepare your fire pit. Set up your fire pit in a sheltered area that is safe from rain. A tarp or garbage bag can sometimes be strung up a good distance above the fire to help keep it safe from heavy rainfall. Use rocks to build up your fire pit and help shelter it. The rocks will also help reflect heat back into the fire and hold the temperature. Make sure, however, that you do not cut off all air movement from your fire. Some well placed holes will create draft that will keep oxygen

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