Making a fire in the rain

[Dura Mater]

Firecraft is a perishable skill as I have learned. It is also a skill that cannot be mastered by completing a task once or twice which is why I continue to practice. Making fire in actual rain is much different than using wet wood after a rain. If anyone thinks they are in good shape because they can throw a log in the creek and make a fire out of it they are mistaken although that's not an easy task either. I am no master and only have 3 fires in the rain with no shelter, cover, or man made tinder but this one was my best I think. The prep was lacking but it got going and each attempt leaves me with more knowledge.

Tools used:
Firesteel
4 inch knife

Fuel:
Splitwood
Natural tinder

To prove it was raining:



Here is my chosen tree, a hedge, dead and off the ground:



My prep, it was just enough but I should have had much much more. I also skipped a whole size of prep from what I normally do for some unknown reason:



Prep was protected from the falling rain by Hickory bark while I worked although looking back I needed more bark since you can see much of the the prep is soaked. I was however very protective of the scrapings and shavings so they were able to dry out the larger fuel:



We have fire!



Making the reward:



Overall I felt good about how I did, I got the fire going first try and it never went out. I still need a lot more practice though. My prep like I said was adequate but would not have left any room for failure so next time I need much more along with another piece of Hickory bark for cover. Oh, and making fire in the cold rain while soaking wet makes things much more difficult, this is NOT like making a fire in normal conditions. I actually think this is why I skimped on prep and didn't bother to find more bark. Go out there and try it, you won't be disappointed with the skills you build!

This is how I should have done it, enough prep for 3 whole fires but laziness is apparently magnified in cold rain.

[catspa]

Nice drive-by of your knife in pic 4.

I like this. Too often I'm tempted to get all caught up in the "stuff" end of wilderness survival, and this is a good reminder to give equal time to the "skills" aspect too.

Parker

[oldsarge]

So....what kind of knife is that any way?

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Very nice. Perhaps we can all learn something from your post.

[Dura Mater]

Originally Posted by oldsarge

So....what kind of knife is that any way?

It's a custom knife from River bottom blades. 4 inch blade O1 steel, most of my knives are that size. An $8 Mora would substitute just as well though.

[ppine]

Dura,
A thoughtful post. I like your reference to firecraft. It is your friend, and the worse the conditions, the more fire is your friend. I like the pics of small ladder fuels to maximize oxygen, and the preheating of damp materials. I camped in the Cascades a lot in the 70s and learned a lot about making fires in wet weather. It takes confidence and determination. That looked like a good day for cottonballs with vaseline. Where were you when the pics were taken?

[Dura Mater]

Originally Posted by ppine

Dura,
...Where were you when the pics were taken?

I am in Missouri which is where most of my adventures are.

[Little Kitty]

Now would be a perfect time to practice here, because it is suppose to rain all week. I might give this a go, in my backyard. What if it is windy, and raining? The past few storms, have had some gusty winds.

[Dura Mater]

Originally Posted by Little Kitty

Now would be a perfect time to practice here, because it is suppose to rain all week. I might give this a go, in my backyard. What if it is windy, and raining? The past few storms, have had some gusty winds.

You can set up a wind block or get behind a big tree, put your back to the wind or even set up a tarp off to the side (this works really well). Also don't be afraid to use a man made tinder and a lighter or storm proof match. Doing this for the first time in wind and rain without any man made materials will be very difficult. The way I would approach the situation is to try this in each situation and get proficient so don't forget to go out and practice on a dry windy day.

Whatever you do don't allow for any overhead cover, sure you can use a jacket or a tarp in the field but that's not making your training any better. Do the easy stuff in the field and overcome adversity during practice. I have met very few people in my life who intentionally practice in poor conditions so you'll be one of the 5% if you even attempt it.

[Grandpa]

I used to drive my mother crazy because during the winter, every time a ground blizzard hit, I'd bundle up and go down to the creek and try to build a fire just to see if I could.
It was kind of cheating though because I knew a cut bank close to a deadfall where I could get out of the worst winds and had plenty of standing fuel. But I got pretty good using one stick match.