Sure Fire Starting

by Shaykh Idris
(Young NSW Australia)

Get everything ready, before you even begin to spark or start a flame. Twigs and tinder and wood, and a cleared area, either in a small pit or within a circle of rocks, not river stones.

Light the thinnest twigs first: hold their ends above the flame.

A birthday candle is a good place to start.

Put the burning twigs below the next grade of twigs, and from there you have it: a large flame gets the bigger bits burning.

A little breeze will help it to get going, but keep it screened from wind, that it can last longer.

Have a supply of firewood at hand, and be prepared to throw dirt or water over it if it should get out of hand. Smoke gets in your eyes.