How to Start a Fire in Wet Conditions

[@SoundlessScream]

I like you're being your natural strange self and having fun, you also talk about the nature around you with an educated park ranger-ey-ness that reminds me of the nature books from the 70's my parents would show me. Thanks for making this video, I enjoyed it.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@maxzhu56]

Better than other wet condition fire videos. You really show us step by step, not just talk through it.

[@davekibbey7944]

That's the same thing my dad would say back when I was a kid and he was showing me how to build a campfire. "Were not outa the woods yet." Thanks for bringing back a fond memory.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

lol yep

[@mikecuddihey2037]

I got a fire goin' in the rain last year. Impressed everybody on the lake.

[@riseabovehatesfrance]

Mike Cuddihey lol

[@brendanward5751]

The. Whitest man alive

[@mikecuddihey2037]

@@brendanward5751 Thanks?

[@EXKKK]

Help me plz!!!

[@mikecuddihey2037]

@@professionalrepublican9722 Tonight, we're settin' the woods on fire. Hank Williams, Sr., as I recall.

[@paulthomas975]

One thing that I learned by operating a giant 4 story Neptune Furnace with 7 zones and hearths of which we used either Natural Gas or Diesel Fuel to initially start the burn of concentrated human waste in Advanced Wastewater Plant is that : If you blow down on a fire it will smoke like hell. If you raise the fire level up like you did on branches or even bark the air gets under the fire and will let fire hot and almost non smoking. However even though I have fairly good knowledge of where to find dry wood, I have a hell of a time getting fire going in a rain down pour. Had to make small shelter to keep rain off fire area. Even with all the right stuff and fire starter equipment it is still hard getting fire going in rain. Your video helped me out very much and I now carry special stuff with me everywhere I go land is always in one of our cars for those emergencies. Thank You!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Nice~ Thanks much for watching!

[@smsgtbulldog]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us. Always appreciated

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Good advice. I especially like the part where you recommend folks carry fire lighting assists with them in their pack etc. I light almost all my fires using local found natural materials but I still think it is a good idea to have an ace up the sleeve so to speak by carrying some man made fire starting assists. Even though I am very confident in my local found, natural materials, fire starting skills, I still carry fire starting assists because you never know when an emergency hits and you need a fire quick and do not have the time to mess around spending the amount of time that it takes to get a fire going from natural local materials.

[@thomasmusso1147]

ABSOLUTELY 👍. Always have a Plan B and even a Plan C,, depending on circumstances.

[@littlebull8881]

I agree Lonnie

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thanks Lonnie. I've been caught without both a lighter/ferro rod, and materials to start a fire when natural materials weren't at hand or it was dark. Lesson learned! Now I carry multiples of everything on my person and in my pack! Thanks for watching!

[@jasonh5266]

The best video I’ve seen about fire starting - straight to the point, lots of useful information, and showing different methods of starting a fire. Thanks a bunch!

[@dospalmascb]

Birch smells amazing. These older videos of yours are fantastic Brooke. Thank you.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice Brooke, I am up in the ADK now. Had to light a fire the other day to boil water, super wet windy conditions. Got done using all stops. One note use a larger lighter rather than a small one. When it’s cold it’s hart to uses small lighter. I used many tools and got it going.

[@quinnwarman5139]

And the ladys out ther remember tampons or sanitary pads work exsellent too as fire starters

[@jummyjello9326]

What how

[@pseudonamed]

tampons yes, it's basically just cotton, but pads normally have plastic and glue on the back.

[@crossbow3539]

Quinn Warman what for starting a bush fire

[@mikecuddihey2037]

Another thing I've noticed is that the inside of a log always stays dry regardless. Split it into kindling-sized pieces, and you end up with numerous dry faces-- and there's your firewood. Dead, brown evergreen needles still on the branch also like to burn even when wet. Shake the water off and prop it up between showers if possible to give it more of a chance to dry out a bit.

[@markgreer6921]

Fatwood is good also ur enthusiasm and excitement is awesome and puts a smile on my face

[@maverickSTC]

Great video. Subject well presented and I learned something new, which is rare for me these days.

[@eddiekilfedder8354]

I always carry cotton wool soaked in vaseline or as they call it across the pond petroleum jelly or even a lip blam which gives a burn time of 3 to 4 minutes total live saver in wet conditions , hope this helps

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

You and your hubby are amazing!!! Blessings to you and your family 😇 🇺🇸

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thank you!

[@sharonmariejohnson2578]

Great tips to have if you get in a crisis or just want to go camping I love learning these skills from you. Thanks Brooke :)

[@doug9418]

Everything you shouldn't be without. Great suggestions, great video, God Bless you and your family have a great day 🇺🇸

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks!!

[@PurpleHaze929]

You just never know if you will be stranded somewhere & knowing this gives me confidence. Knowledge is power. Thank you.

[@melissab405]

Ok. I am going to try again. Tried today for over an hour. Rained all week here pretty wet😮 I got this now with these tips. 😊 thanks

[@markgreer6921]

Pine sap works good also

[@cabinlife2347]

That was great Brooke - I was watching you so closely, because I'm a newbie to fire starting, and as a matter of coincidence I was recently challenged to start a fire on my own, using a ferro rod - rain or shine. I hope you don't mind me relaying my story. Last Wednesday, during our live stream, I rose to the challenge, and wouldn't you know it - the rain started a few hours before I was to do the challenge ... so, there I was - in the pouring rain, in the dark, in the woods, unassisted by Glenn (my hubby), who is very good at starting fires, and showed me how to do it - (I just got complacent and always let him start our fires). Today, I was so excited to see that you gathered your material the same way I did. Woo Hoo. I even set wood on the wet ground just as you did ... then the birch bark, etc. We always carry oil and cotton in our day pack ... I had to use some of it because the rain was just relentless. I did this during our Live Stream, with everyone watching .. Glenn was giving a "play by play" , like a "David Attenborough nature watch (no pressure LOL). My materials were sooo wet from the rain - they snapped, but the outer layer was wet, and the rain didn't help. It took over an hour to get the fire started with the ferro rod, and to the point that it was self sustaining. I dare say that you would have been proud of me, if you had been watching - as I had never started a fire before, ever - let alone in the rain, live in front of an audience. The viewers were cheering me on - it was so cool (literally LOL). I love watching your videos, and your "Alone" episodes - this is so cool, we actually set up our fires the same way. Woo hoo. Gotta love it. :) Thanks for being such a great role model to other women. Take care - Maureen - the Ol' Gal living in the forest, who finally knows how to start a fire.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

I absolutely love your pluck Maureen! You did it, and will only get better. Yeah I think that's it for a lot of women, they just let their husbands/man/boyfriend do it, so it's nice to finally have the skill for yourself! Great job!!

[@cabinlife2347]

@@therealgirlinthewoods Yes - that was me - man starts fire - woman gets food ready. All fine and dandy until he gets injured. :( But now I got it. Thanks. Have a great day Brooke. :)

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

you're awesome :)

[@kellwng]

Good show Red, and its always good to see Maisy

[@susannepatriot6264]

One is none and two is one. Always, always have a backup and a back up to the back up. I carry a lighter, a fero rod, birch bark, and even a small butane torch. Thanks for the video.

[@andreapecoraro6972]

Oh, dear Girl in the Woods! What a wonderful video! Seeing yourself doing it seems easy. I noticed your kit and I saw that you have an orange lighter just like mine. The video is also explanatory. Thanks for sharing. Bye Bye . . .

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thank you!

[@Swimdeep]

Nicely done👍🏼 First time viewer and you got my sub. Your storyteller way in an instructional video was very engaging. Despite knowing how to start a fire when it’s wet, I watched to the end.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

wow thanks much and welcome!

[@lenellamaxwell6934]

Thanks for sharing. I thought I knew how to start a fire in the damp, but it was good to have it confirmed. Thanks!

[@aimlesslyrunning5127]

I love the ideas presented here, I usually create an open teepee and have a bundle down in the center that I'll take a tiny piece of journal paper to ignite it. taking cedar, birch and cotton balls would make things much easier ty!

[@0Y0L]

Soak the cotton balls in vaseline and it can burn around 2 minutes. Use chapstick or lip balm if you have too but make sure it's really in there.

[@blackskull8440]

Or fire lighters🤷🏻‍♂️ burn for longer

[@patrickholland6848]

I use the vaseline soaked cotton balls also, works really well.

[@iAmDakotaKitteh]

These work really well :3

[@michellehill4148]

Just got two suggestions on how to start a fire in wet conditions just now. Saw one was from you and picked it right away! Hadn't seen this one before, and thanks it was useful advice!

[@genkiferal7178]

Decent idea. I'd rather have one of those water-tight containers used by swimmers or scuba divers (surfers, whatever water sports) to hold their wallet and keys in. It's tiny, but those small plastic canisters that film come in are awesome and you might get extras from a professional photographer. Get as many as you can. you'll find uses for them all.

[@northwoodsrat6686]

Great tips here to add to our inventory of fire building tricks ; thanks again Brooke !

[@TheSeanocasey]

I watched a few fire starter videos before this one. This is the best one. I like this woman. She made starting a fire interesting and simple. She has a personality.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thank you!

[@indigowulf]

I'm dying at how adorable you are. You have such an open, honest, and genuine glow, and your smile could keep your friends warm. I did want to mention, you have the best fire starter doing circles around you.. my long hair dogs always have loose fluff I could pull off and use as starter tinder if I don't have a fire starter with me.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

well she certainly has a lot of it! lol thanks

[@genkiferal7178]

omg, that is TRUE!! My German shepherd's undercoat was so hard to get wet during a doggie bath and would stay dry when the outside fur was really wet.

[@woodyscabin]

Lov this. All of it. Haha. I use the same tins for same things+. This is the best, most peaceful entertainment around.

[@semco72057]

You have plenty there to start a fire and you are so smart and know what to look for and I hope others who may not know remember this information. It helps if you have some material which you collected before the rain and will use it to get a fire started. That is where a special bag comes in handy just to keep dry material to start a fire with in.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks for watching!

[@jencorea8748]

Omg your little kit … oh blow my mind…incredibly excellent ❤️ Northern hemisphere sister … go the fire … everywhere. Sacred ♥️

[@laurieboykenriley5874]

You are awsome. Love every thing you do

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks laurie!

[@michelejonjock5910]

Absolutely great information. I'm huge on wanting to be a prepper. This is very informative. Thanks so much for showing natural ways to get things up and going

[@Julian-bq9qv]

*you always bring a smile to my day. thank you*

[@domcabal3793]

I really enjoyed your video. You are very animated and pleasant to watch. In your words, "Its great to HAVE a lighter". Thank you!

[@davebloggs]

cotton balls and vaseline i have lots in many locations pockets packs even in the bottom or my water bottle carrier. if i dont have many ways to light a fire its like hiking naked.

[@jeremymock9686]

You can tell a lady is a true outdoors person when she is wearing her wedding ring in the woods. Thanks for the great video.

[@texasgrayman3492]

New sub from Texas! This video was great! Love the doggo as well. Going camping this weekend in the wet and this has helped. You rock!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

awesome thanks and welcome!

[@genkiferal7178]

there are freedom cells in TX. many are sprouting up in a few states.

[@aubreymaxam7465]

I've had to go as far as split the wood open to get dry wood to get fire started. Oh the fun of being outdoors. I love it!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

yes I forgot my hatchet was going to show that

[@smokinggar714]

another great fire you can get out of your home is: the LINT the comes out of your dryer while at home drop some wax onto your lint and put into a plastic bag in joy

[@alicins908]

Yeah put that in a toilet paper roll and you’ve got a fire starting kit

[@MarkShelby2025]

One Tea Light Candle with that Foil thing removed fits in an Altoids tin .Good for wet Kindling. Good Vid Brook.🔥

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

good idea

[@Myn6211]

Excellent pointers Brooke. Thanks for making this video.

[@stellalush4547]

I FRIKKEN LOVE THIS GIRL... Everything about her is real, and BEAUTIFUL.

[@ObservantSeedsower]

Just stumbled onto this channel for the first time and thought I would tip my hat to you. Very practical. New subscriber.

[@JudgeScot]

Great reminder of basics!

[@oferbechor1579]

THANK YOU

[@JamesJarvis-o5e]

Good. Small sticks is key as they dry out quicker over small flame. I would add: take several tea light candles with the lighter.

[@tangospace4579]

Madam you are very charismatic, keep doing your camp videos. Here another subscriber. Thank you for share

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks and welcome

[@chevybill1833]

Good info Brooke! Like the way you did several different ways to start a fire!

[@pattytaylor2425]

That was great!! I love to go camping. I'm retired and watching your videos for tips! Thank you for the excellent lessons!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

cool thanks!

[@kenstrampe7609]

Great video, reminds me of the time I was out backpacking with my brothers, we packed light so no tents and one night it just down poured on us and I was the only one who stayed dry and warm and my brothers were trying to start a fire but couldn't so I got out of my warm bed and started one for them so they could dry out and get warm and dry their gear. What I did was pile up a lot of pine needles up for my bed and they stayed dry during the rain and it was just what was needed to start a fire ah warmth.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

nice!

[@te2952]

Yes, pine needles. In the South it works. Just go under a big tree and you can always find dry pine needles to start a camp fire even in the rain. I have done it for years, it works great!

[@graceiovine3080]

Great demo...🔥

[@mealex303]

Dry pine needles are great too. Please can you do a vid on your thoughts on sasquatch plz x

[@georgeclair1609]

I see the bark river is gettin some love ! Careful about laying it down , would be a heartbreaker to loose it !

[@maverick5181]

I tried that this past weekend with the birch bark. It rained all night prior. Worked amazingly.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

awesome

[@heatherjones4786]

Excellent video thank you!

[@millerman692]

Great job with practical advice.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks

[@ArkElementStudios]

I absolutely love watching these kind of videos, especially this one. I now go to your channel most of the time, you really help share these amazing tips and tricks and it's just what I am hoping to stick around with when I get out there often.

[@raharu000]

This lady is awesome.

[@sharonroyle2232]

Great tips, I can’t wait to try them out.

[@zwhirlwhorled7570]

One day it was multiple days of rain and pouring rain, i pulled out all the stops and still couldn't do it. This older guy that worked for the forest service gave me the ultimate clue. Look for a leaning rotten tree with dry rot and mine out whats dry. The lean creates a roof on the underside. Also just like a base helps, a bark roof on the developing fire can help if its raining or snowing.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Yes I was going to show that but forgot my hatchet. Doh!

[@zwhirlwhorled7570]

@@therealgirlinthewoods i really have only had to resort to that leaning dry rotten tree a few times in my life, watching your show got me excited to share. Know another trick to start a blaze by whistling, kidding, thanks. Woods in the boy.

[@gstokely7]

A great video and good advice for fire starting. Thanks for sharing.

[@henrygarza8018]

Vaseline rubbed into the cotton is really good. 👍 I use my small aspirin bottle as the holder.

[@jeremyb.1977]

Great tips Brooke! - Jeremy

[@toomuffled]

Omg. I was not familiar with birch bark as it didn't grow in my area. Last summer I camped in an area with birch bark. Lol, that stuff is insane! Great vid. Shows how patience and prep is so important.

[@genkiferal7178]

in the deep south, one possibility might be Spanish moss - if it is dry. I remember it catching fire quickly

[@TheGilberto50]

beautiful dog

[@believeliveloveandlaugh3844]

Good explanation.

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

Great video Solid info You do seem more happy and beautiful since last year Keep it up!

[@ShinyNickelBlades]

That was helpful, I suck at starting fires. I know a few ways, but I think my problem is smothering it. I also can't get even a tiny flame with a Ferro rod, I need to find a good one and practice with that. But my go to technique is a lighter and store bought fire starters like wet fire. Once, it was wet and I didn't have any type of fire starter, so I used some oil from my lantern, and that worked, lol.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

yep- use what you have!

[@techobsessed1]

I've never been able to find a birch when I need them in the mountains around here, but pitch is always easy to find and it works well to get a fire started in wet conditions.

[@zenotaphium]

Accidentally came across this channel few min ago and insta loved it, great videos so far, best of luck in development of this one, you got a new follower for sure

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

cool thanks and welcome!

[@flyaway7486]

Brooke, I finally got started on my book for this month, a little late but still!!!!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

good on ya!

[@lanejohnson2353]

Thanks for the instructive video! The more one knows about this necessary priority the better. The snap of branches is a simple but very good point to remember. I never thought of it! So that's one thing I got today from your video. Your method is well taken. I am still trying to find time to teach my wife to use a ferro rod. Take care and keep enjoying the wilderness. Lane

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

great thanks Lane!

[@BadMonkey443]

Thankyou

[@username-mc7jw]

I learned that you're the first *honest* survivalist I have seen willing to acknowledge the importance of carrying a lighter!!! One tip I will pass on is to buy a lighter with the piezoelectric igniter, such as the BIC electronic series. The reason for this suggestion has to do with moisture. Say your bag gets wet, or you take a dunk crossing a river. A flint-based lighter won't light again until it gets dried out, often an hour or more later. The electronic lighters will continue to light, even after taking a swim. I carry at least one of each in my pack.

[@nathana5549]

One thing you can do is use friction to dry the little Ferro rod inside of the lighter Hold the wheel to a piece of wood and drag it back and forth until you see sparks again!

[@Jaze2022]

Thank you for making this video. I was creeped out by some of your enthusiasm or close up camera angles (not sure which it was). But I have to say this was one of the better presented videos on this subject. Thanks again!

[@williampysell2819]

Good video and sensible advice on wet condition fire starting. I also like to carry a couple of cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, and some fat wood dust and fat wood splinters.

[@jamesleochen7816]

Good job,love this video

[@justahappygardener]

Thank you - I'm no woodsman, but I can't wait to try this in my local wet Scottish woodland next time I'm out for a walk. Paul

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

cool!

[@b2dauphine]

This is so neat! Merci beaucoup.

[@DonnaConrady]

Amazing woman . . . awesome video :)) Thanks Brooke!

[@hutchinsonsadventures4678]

cool advice. Always need to know the basics... Cheers ......Kev

[@saphire405]

Excellent video. In Vermont, I tend to have better luck using hardwoods.

[@elizabethcerna15]

Well done...THANK ya🌸

[@gosmoothgolight6285]

Great advice, Brooke! Thanks for sharing ... definitely one area where having multiple ways to start a fire is essential :) God Bless

[@juliewood6513]

Thanks brooke your video was amazing an very helpful.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks Julie!

[@oldgoat1890]

Depends on where I am at and what is around. Grape vine bark is great. Once you have a little fire, sasafrass even wet, will really get it going to dry out harder stuff.

[@WayneTheSeine]

That birch is awesome...wish we had it here. We do have some of the most awesome fatwood and cypress and cedar that can be processed but the birch is king. Thanks for sharing ...that was fun. When I go hunting I will stop and start a small fire just to keep in practice. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it requires a lot of nursing like yours there.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

agree. practice in all conditions :)

[@davidh.4649]

Agreed. I wanted a fire in my fire pit on my back deck a few nights ago and things were somewhat damp out. Just for the heck of it I grabbed a bow drill set I had made long ago. It was stored inside so it was fully dry. I had no problem drilling up an ember since the set was nice and dry. But I couldn't get any tinder I could find outside to blow into flames! I got 3 embers easily but couldn't get flames. I practice making embers with a bow drill and with a fire roll regularly but I don't often take the trouble to gather a tinder bundle (birds nest) and blow it into flames. That's a mistake. Going from ember to flames is a skill like all others related to fire making and one has to practice it. I have never had access to birch bark here in the southeast U.S. We have to make do with fat wood, which is plentiful in all the pine trees we have in Georgia. Scrapings of fat wood will ignite readily with a ferro rod and then you can move on to fat wood slivers and small pieces of it. Then build the fire as you did.

[@oldgriz816]

I keep an Altoids tin of char cloth in my pack as well as in the emergency kit in my vehicles.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

sweet

[@wvdrummer47]

Now this is a good video, great info here...oh by the way love your dog

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thank you!

[@kjonesy4142]

Love seeing what you're up to! 🍁🍂🍂👍

[@charitypetry576]

Omg this worked Soo well,thank you so much!

[@sandrabrooks8785]

Thanks for that info. Great information on how to start a fire. 🔥

[@rootlady5934]

VERY HELPFUL SISTER!❤

[@Fjall-Anders]

I myself have a break in the adventure when I am in Covid. But just watched your video. You really get the urge to go out again💥😉🙂

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

get well soon!