Starting a fire in the rain may seem impossible, but when you know what to look for, it can be done, even when everything feels soaked. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or in a survival situation, you never really have control on the weather. So, here’s our little guide on how to start a fire in the rain step by step.
Why It’s Hard to Start a Fire in the Rain
I don’t know about you, but I’m the kind of person that just like starting a fire for camping or while enjoying the outdoors. I recently gave myself a challenge to start a fire in the rain, because you know, why not.
Rain makes everything damp, your tinder, kindling, wood, and even your gear. Wet wood doesn’t burn easily and can smother a small flame. Wind and moisture can also make it tough to keep a fire going once it’s lit. That’s why preparation and method matter more than ever in wet weather.
What You Need to Start a Fire in the Rain
Having the right tools can make all the difference when conditions are less than ideal. Essentially, here is the list of things you will need to get it done :
- A fire source (waterproof matches or Ferro rod)
- Hand saw
- Small hatchet
- knife
- Tarp and ropes
Step 1 – Find Dry Wood in the Rain
How do you find dry wood in the rain?
Your best bet will be to look for a standing dead tree. Ideally this dead tree is not dead from too long ago. Let me explain myself.
The fact that the tree is still standing ensures less water and snow accumulates on the tree over the time. Thus, there is more chance that the inside of the tree is dry. Also, it is a good practice to use dead wood for your fires instead of cuting healthy living trees. If you find one, you can cut down that tree with your hand saw and move on to the next step.
There is also other options to find dry wood :
- Breaking dead branches off the lower parts of trees (not the ground)
- Splitting larger logs to access the dry interior
- Looking under logs, rocks, or thick evergreen trees for protected kindling
- Gathering bark or twigs from conifers like pine or spruce—they often burn well even when a little damp
Step 2 – Find a Dry Place to Start Your Fire
Choose a spot with overhead cover: under a rock overhang, dense tree canopy, or bring a tarp to set up a basic shelter. Lay down a base using bark, rocks, or thick dry sticks to keep your fire off the wet ground. Avoid low areas where water pools or drips.
Ensuring that no more water fall on your branches and your dry wood is gonna make all the difference. The setup can be as basic as this :
Step 3 – Cut Your Wood
You already cut down your tree or found some logs and branches.
Use a knife or hatchet to split larger logs and expose dry inner wood. Create feather sticks, long, thin curls shaved from the dry interior of a stick to use as kindling. The thinner and drier your kindling, the better your chances of ignition.
It’s better to have more wood to burn than not enough. A mistake that a lot of people do is starting the fire with not enough kindling to make it properly start and keep it going.
Step 4 – Starting the Fire (and Tips to Keep It Going)
To start a fire in the rain, begin by setting up a dry base using bark, large sticks, or rocks to keep your fire off the wet ground. Build a small teepee or log cabin structure using the driest kindling you have. Ideally, feather sticks or shavings from the previous step.
Ignite it using waterproof matches or a ferro rod. Shield the flame from wind and rain using your body, rocks or your tarp. Once the flame catches, slowly add slightly larger pieces of wood, giving each layer time to catch before adding more. Keep your remaining firewood as dry as possible and feed the fire gradually to maintain steady heat.
At one point, once the fire is established, wet wood can be added slowly, allowing the heat to evaporate moisture as it burns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Starting a fire in the rain takes more work, but it’s absolutely possible with practice and preparation. Focus on finding dry material, protecting your flame, and using a reliable fire starter. With these skills, you’ll stay warm and safe, no matter the weather.
I hope this article will help you light your first fire in the rain, from scratch. To conclude, here is a few common mistakes to avoid :
- Using wood from the ground (usually soaked)
- Skipping proper kindling prep
- Rushing to add large, wet logs too soon
- Not protecting the flame from wind or rain
- Forgetting to bring reliable fire-starting tools
Author : Jerome Lortie
Passionate Web Freelancer and outdoor enthusiast