10 Best Natural Tinder Fungi to Find in the Forest and How to Use Them
Whether you’re lost and frozen in the wild, or just need help starting a fire, these natural tinder options are the way to go.
In this video from YouTube channel AlfieAesthetics, you will learn about some of the common fire – fighting methods that can be found in the forest and how they can be used most effectively. If you need to make a fire in the forest, pay attention to the following points:
- Western Red Cedar Bark : The bark of this tree is rough and fibrous in texture. Scrape off some of the fibers with a knife and tie them together for kindling.
- Birch Bark: Birch bark is flammable and waterproof. You can scrape it off with your fingers and light or scrape the birch “dust” off the bark to help another firelighter.
- Charcoal Mushroom: These small blackish, brownish lumps live on stumps and logs and act like charcoal. Cut them so they lie flat, lightweight, and stick them into a dry grass nest.
- Pine cones: crush them with your hands until you have a pile of fine dust and pine cone fragments, then sprinkle sparks on it.
- Tinder Fungus: This aptly named bracket fungus lives on tree trunks like a parasite. Remove it from the tree, scrape off the skin, and light it.
- Fireweed: It has purple flowers and forms a cotton substance that can be used for tinder. Collect as much as possible and it will light up almost instantly.
- Thistle Seeds: Like fireweed, thistle seeds produce cotton-like substances that you can harvest before or after they bloom. Collect a hefty handful and give her a spark.
- Punkwood: Dead rotting wood with little or no structural integrity. You can find it on the forest floor.
- Chips: With the right tools, you can cut almost any wood into thin, dry pieces that can catch on fire if you’re persistent enough.
- Dead Grass: Abundant and easily visible dead grass makes great tinder if it is dry enough.
If you can find any of these natural colorants, all you need is a spark source (such as a ferrocerium rod or flame retardant steel) and a pair of healthy lungs. Keep in mind, however, that not every forest in the world has all of these options, but you can probably always find a few.
10 Ways to Start a Fire – Natural Tinder | Youtube