Q&A for How to Use a Fire Starter

Leaves are usually dry, which makes them excellent at burning and helping start your fire.

This isn't likely to happen, because most fire starters have a magnesium bar. However, you can also use tinder, wood or any fuel on hand.

Magnesium burns quickly and at high temperatures when exposed to heat, making it an effective fire starter. The flint magnesium fire starter uses this property to ignite a fire.

You could make a bow drill to save time, use a stick itself, or if you have a lighter, that will work too.

Flint and magnesium create sparks that can ignite kindling, eventually starting a fire.

If you're concerned about injury, take safety precautions to reduce the risk of burns, or consider not using it. If you do get burned, submerge the burn in cold water and treat it appropriately. Having someone with you for assistance can also be helpful.

If it's a small fire, you can use a fire blanket to block oxygen from reaching the fire, or you can use a fire extinguisher.

The easiest way is to gather some wood, apply propane, and then light it with two burning matches.

The ferro rod is waterproof, so it should still work even if it's wet; it will continue to produce sparks. Use dry kindling.

Yes, unless there is a burn ban in your area.

You don't need dirt or moist material to start a fire. Try to find dry wood, and use things like pine needles, dry leaves, or paper to help the fire grow.

If it's small fire, use sand and water. If it's big, call the fire department.

A controlled fire can also be cheerful and comforting in a fireplace or at a campsite.

Use sand, dirt or anything else that's non-flammable to smother it.

Stop feeding the fire. If there are flammable objects nearby, move them away. Use water or sand to control or extinguish the fire.

Try lint or newspaper if you have some at your house. If you are outside, try grass. While it'll be small at first, it will work.

Fires are made to provide warmth and light, to cook food, or just to enhance the atmosphere!

Nothing is wrong with using matches. Because matches can get wet or break, a magnesium fire starter is also a good option for starting a fire. It's always good to have multiple methods in case one fails.

Yes, lint is a good material to catch the sparks from your fire starter. The small fabric fibers are very flammable.

A small flame can be blown out by the wind, just like blowing out a birthday candle. When starting a fire, you can shield it from the wind with your body. However, don't rely on the wind to put out a fire. Always use water to make sure it is completely out.

Because occasionally with high winds, coals can actually re-start the flames of a fire, which can cause forest fires if the fire leaves the pit area and burns surrounding plants, leaf matter, etc.

Put the fire out immediately (where the excess fire is), and then place moist dirt around the firepit (dirt extinguishes fire).